The Washington times., 1911-04-16
Decisive Battles Now
Being Fought In Three
Big Cities Along Border

Ell PASO, Texas, April 16.-What are
generally admitted by United States
army officials here to be the deciaive
battles of the Mexican revolution are
on today at three of the principal bor-
der cities-Juarez. just across the line
from here; Ojinega, across from Pre-
sfdio. Texas. and at Aqua Prieta, across
from Douglas. Ariz.
Heavy fighting is going on between
large forces of federals and revolution
lists just outside of Juarez. The Diaz
soldiers have fallen back into the town
under heavy fire from rebel cannon. ma
chine guns, and heavy rifle firing. Three
thousand troops are thought to be en-
gagged on both sides
At Ojinaga it is the same. force of
several hundred federals who made
sortie to within a few hundred yards of
the insurrecto barricades in the foot
hills. was compelled TO fall back. AL
though they appeared to retreat in COM
plete order. many are said to have
ben killed, according to -long-distance
phone messages received here at noon,
and the rebels are said to be even now
within a few miles Of the city. The
latter are armed with the best OF equip
six-inch cannon.
Throwing Up Breastworks.
An evidence of the fear the federals
have that they will be engaged at
Ojinaga in the most desperate fighting
they have yet been through is seen in
the manner in which even stray citizens
are now being impressed into service to
aid in throwing up barricades of sand
bags. earthworks, and establishing such
networks of crossed wire fortifications
as were met with by the United States
troops during the Spanish American
war at San Juan and other placesf
hntwean no
and federals ceased at dark last night,
but reopned against this morning. The
federals are bringing their field pieces
into position to use them on the can
Yon where the rebels are fortified, If
possible. This will be the first artil-
lery used in this section The battle
has now lasted since Saturday morn
ing and has been steady. Neither side
appears to be giving away and there
appears no disposition on either side
to charge the other. The federals are
bent merely on defending the city.
The insurrectos are defending them
selves and staying where they are.
Captain Hernandez Wounded.
According to officials in Juarez, six
federals were killed and twelve wounded
in the fighting up to this morning early.
Since that time they do not believe
there have been any casualties.
The wounded have all been brought
tain Porfirio Hernandez, Fourteenth In
fantry.
The dead were left on the field, but
wagons were sent out this morning to
bring htern in The dead include Lieut.
Miguel Baturoni, Second Infantry, and
Lieut. Abigail Jimenez. Third Regiment |
1t is known that the irsurrectos' band
is merely the advance guard of Ma
dero,s main army, sent ahead to take
position where it Is now entrenched,
and protect the railroad back to Casas
Grande and Pearson. to prevent the fed |
erals damaging 1t until Madero is ready
to come north with his entire army. |
The federals wish to drive the insur- |
rertos back II possible, both for the |
purpose of destroying the tracks of the |
railroad, following the same tactics as |
the insurrectos, also to hold OF the at |
tack until federal re-enforcements come |
Little Water.
There is little water and certainly not |
enough in the stretch of country for a !
hundred miles south of Juarez to SUD-
ply the rebel army even for q few days |
The rebels know this and pfan to dash |
In on the train and take Juarez by land |
ing almost in the city limits. The fed
erals realize that If they can beat the |
tnsurrectos hack, cut The road. ami |
force the main column TO march over
land, the hard, dry march will be |
wearing on them and lack of water may
Tout IneI: In February, when Orzco |
was besieglng Juarez from Bauche. right |
where the insurrecto command Is now
located, he was compelled to withdra w
bis forces to hunt for water and LEI
General RahagG and federal re-enforce-
ments come in from Juarez.
a peculiar thing about the situation fs
that when Orozco had surrounded and
fought the battle of Bauche, he held
about the same position that the fed
erals now hold, and was fighting off the
approaching federal re-enforcements
Now the federals are fighting off the
approaching rebels.
Rabago a Factor.
And peculiarly, also, General Rabay5
is figuring in the situation again. After
the insurrectos had left Juaraz, in Feb
ruary, Rabago. who had relieved the
Juarez garrison when it was besieged,
made a forced march to Chihuahua to
relieve that city when 1t was threatened
in March. When Madero withdrew, last |
week. from Chihuahua and started |
north, Rabago started again to the re-
lief of Juarez, marching overland along \
the Mexican National tracks. II he |
reaches Juarez with his re-enforcements |
before the main body Of the rebels gets |
here, the capture Of the town will be |
next to impossible.
he IA Rarr3 Denies He