The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-10-25
TOWN WEAR CAPITAL
ALMOST DESTROYED
Zapatistas Dynamite Milpa
Alta and Fight Draw With
Federal Troops.
FEW PERSONS KILLED
Fugitives, However, Tell Of
Atrocities in Which Wonl-
en- Were the Victims.

MEXICO CITY. Oct, 24.-Thc town OF
Milpa Alta. within three miles of the
capital. was almost destroyed last night
by fire and dynamite by Zapatistas, who
today fought what appears tonight to
have been drawn battle with federal
troops lasting for more than five hours
near the ruined town. The insurrectos
returned the fire Of the government troops
shot for shot and arc said TO be now oc-
cupyinG the village of Natcaas only
two miles from Xochimilco. Fearing an
attack. the residents OF the latter town,
the source OF the capitals water supply,
arc IN d state of terror
The war department tonight had re-
coived no definite reports regarding The
result other than the Zapatistas had been
driven into the hills, because both tcle
graph and telephones were cut carly to-
day.
The neichborlng villages arc heavily
guarded tonight by federal troops and
the connecting roads are patrolled by
ruralcs.
Santa Ana Visited.
Santa Ana. a village from Milpa Alta.
was also visited by the followers of Emi-
liano Iapata, but was not subjected 70
the fate of Milpa Alta,
The Lapatistas who entered Milpa Alta
at 10 o'clock last night were a dctach
mcnt OF the insurrectionary army which
Yesterday Threatened TO attack Chalto, in
Finding this town better guarded than
1T had been for some days, they made a
dc tour, Nrcakng their vengeance upon
the little town in the federal district num-
bering some 1000 Inhabitants.
No resistance was made. The eight
policemen led tho fight, joined by a large
number of the residents. \ considerable
portion Of the people of N1llpa Alta, how
ever. as though by previous agreement
joined in tho cry. viva zapatista." and
took part in the lootIng and burning
Throughout the night the raiders
whose number is estimated at from 800
To 500. continued their work OF destruc-
tion, applying the torch 10 the thatched
huts and hurlng dynamite bombs into
the adobe buildings. Soon after their
arrival the doors of the jail were opened
and the prisoners proved willing re-
cruitse
Women the Victims.
Few persons were killed during the or
gle, though fugitives at Nochimlco
tell OF atrocities in which women we're
victims.
augmented by sympathizers in the town
they, had wrecked. marched out
leaving behind nothing but smould~
erlng ruins and piles OF masonry.
The municipal officers were among
the fusitlves and the town records were
destroyed.
The battle took place on a mountain
road only a few miles from Milps Alta
The Zapatistas were encountered at all
most the same time by two dctachments
Of federal foot soldiers coming from OPP
positc directions. The lighting lasted
until ; O'Clock In the afternoon.
Early reports received by The govern
Inent did not give the number of casual
ties. Although Zapata was not at the
head of the band now that ne has shown
audaclty the government no longer at
tampts TO minimize the magnitude OF the
Dispatches today show that detach-
mcuts Of men subject 10 his orders are
raidins haclendas and pillaging towns.