Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1911-10-18
FIRST BATTLE
UNDEC|s|vE
Two Thousand Rebels Drive
Back Similar Number
Loyal Troops
BLOODY FIGHT At HANK0W
Ammunition of Revolutionaries
Gave Out and They Had
to Retreat.

| W A\SSlS S0Ss
| (Bv Special Leased Wire to New Mexican
/ Hankow, Oct. 1S.-The first battle
since the arrival of the imperial troops
from the north was fought today or
the north bank of the Hankow river
/ just west of this city.
| Imperial Troops Driven Back.
1t was indecisive. The revolution
lists temporarily drove the imperial
troops back from their position lut in
doing SO they exhausted their rife
ammunition and were compelled to re
tire on their base at WI Chang.
The revolutionists, with infantry
and artillery, attacked the government
/ troops which were reinforced from
i the Chinese warships in the river and
supported by the guns of the fleet.
Foreign Vessels Land Marines.
While the fighting was in progress
the thirteen foreign vessels in the
river landed joint force under com.
mand of Vice Admiral Sir Alfred L.
Winsloe, commander of the British
eastern fleet, who, because of his
seniority has been given the direction
of the men engaged in the protection
OF the foreign concessions.
Red Cross Camp.
The Red Cross neutral camp in
charge of DR.. MacWillis, of the Amer
ican mission, received and cared for
the rebel wounded.
Fair Fight.
About 1000 revolutionists were pit.
ted against an equal number of loyal
soldiers, and it was fair fight Early
reports that the rebels outnumbered
the enemy five to one were incorrect.
Ammunition Gave Out.
Only a part of the revolutionary
army participated and they are claim
ing tonight that they would have rout-
ed completely the soldiers from the
north if their ammunition had held
out.
This evening the imperial troops
are awaiting reinforcements while
the revolutionists are replenishing
their supplies.
Another Battle Soon.
A renewal of hostilities may take
place soon as it appears to be the
plan of the rebel leaders to force the
fighting before the imperial troops
have been further strengthened.
The latter had intended to delay an
attack on WI Chang until their mum.
bers were sufficient to make victory
probable and it had been rumored
that there would be no battle before
next Saturday.
Lasted Several Hours.
The launch and its crew withdrew
and as they did so, they were fired on
by men who had been landed from
the warships. Fortunately, com
rades of their assailants interfered,
the shooting ceased. and the cores.
pondents escaped unharmed.
The engagement continued several
hours, while the combined land and
slip forces of the imperials were
driven some distance back and the
rebels, retiring, re-crossed the river
TO WI Chang.
Some of the rebels applied at the
foreign concessions to learn whether
they would be protected if they en-
tered the concessions. The foreign
forces are, however, concerned with
the protection of foreign interests,
only.
General Situation Grave.
No trouble at present is anticipated.
'Fhe' shells from the fleet were COM
paratively few and did no great dam.
age.
The reinforcements from the north
are expected tonight. The imperial
troops concentrated north of the city
when the fighting ceased.
The general situation has not been
greatly changed by the battle and
continues grave.
Rebel Rumors.
Shanghai, Oct 18.-It is reported
here that the rebels have captured
both Nan King and Kiau Kiang, but
official confirmation is lacking. It is
stated that there have been number
of secessions from the government
troops. ,4
Reporters Ordered Back.
The rebels, who occlpy WI Chang,
and Han Yang, were alive to
the governments purpose and during
last night 1000 men crossed the
Yange Use Kiang river from WI
Chang and at daybreak they fell on
the imperial camp. They attacked
with dash, and the government, taken
at a disadvantage, respond
ed loyalty.
The fighting was severe but 1t is
to estimate the casualties,
Is the correspondents were no. per.
rcitted near the firing line and those
who witnessed the battle from the
liver We're fired on.
Hot Fire From R.bels.
At the first sound Of firing. Admiral
sab Chen Ping, in command Of the
Chinese warship. ordered men landed
% support General Chang Piao. for.