Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-01-30
BORDER CITY TAKEN
BY MEXICAN |
REBELS '.i
tNSURRECT0S RELEASE
PRISONERS FROM JAIL
Lieutenant Of Invading Squad Is
American SociaIiStic Agitator
With Record as DiSturber in
Los Angeles.
my Morning Journa, Special Leased wire,

MeNlcaii, MtN.t Jan. st.--MeNicuii
the first border town to be captured
by the insurrectos is tonight In full
possession of the Mexican rebels. II
was taken at daylight today by band
OF eighteen. The only man to lost
his life was the Mexican jailor who
was hesitant to release his prisoners.
lie was shot with rifle thrust
through the window OF his office and
instantly killed.
The customs house was seized
Reinforcements are said to be floclsing
to the rebels standard from the sur
rounding country.
The capture of the town Is the first
sign of the activity of the rebels on
the western coast of Mexico. The
move was a complete ourprIse. II In
declared to be part of general plan
for the SELLING of all the cities in the
northwestern section of the republic.
Mexicali, Is small town, composed
chiefly of natives OF Mexico, on the
southern side Of the International line
in lower California directly across the
border from the California city OF
Calexico. It is situated on the Inn
perial valley branch line OF the South
ern Pacific railway forty-one miles
south OF Imperial Junction.
Two men appeared to he In com.
mand Of the rebel invading party.
Leyva, who appeared to be chief In
command gave his title at ''el general
In jefe de La Tropas insurrgcntes. !"
His aide was simon Berthold socia-
list from California, known In Las
Angeles and various coast cities.
Berthold and party OF eight men
|arrived from Holtville, Cal, last night
and successfully smugglcd consIdera-
BILE amount OF firearms across the
border. They were Joined during the
night by the insurgents from Mcxi-
Icali and vicinity and nj daylight
marched TO the adobe Jail. where
eleven prisoners were confined.
These prisoners were insurgents
who has been arrested on order Of
the government A demand was
made upon the Tailor for the release
yof the prisoners. When he hesltated
"a rifle In the hands OF one OF the
rebels was thrust through the window
and single shot rang out. The
Tailor fell dead. The keys to the cells
were taken from him Immediately and
the prisoners were released.
Berthold and two Of his men pro-
ceeded to the Mexican barracks at the
International line and captured the
few men there without a struggle.
Smaxy. Leyva and the remainder OF
the band marched up the customs
house and the sub-prefecto, which
were taken without resistance.
Gustavo Terrazas gave over the
keys to the government offices. He
himself was taken into custody and
kept under close guard.
During the forenoon the insurgents
received accessions to their ranks from
among the citizens Of MuxicalI and
the native employees Of the neighbor-
ing ranches. At noon twenty-five
men were called together for inspec-
tion by Eel general Leyva.
The Associated Press correspondent
was present when the men were
drawn up. Only eight of the rebels
were mounted. Some were astride
horses without either saddles or
brides and using only halters 10 guard
their steeds. Four white men were
in the company. having the appear
ance Of typical western ranch hands.
All OF the men were armed with rifles
and small arms and appeared to have
an abundance of ammunition.
Berthold talked freely to the AS
sociaied Press representative and de-
clared that today's movement was
but a small part OF a prearranged
plan for general insurrection. IL
was intended. he said to take as rep-
idly as possible all the border and
other towns of Importance In the
northwestern section OF Mexico. The
seizure of custom house and border
barracks Is particularly important to
the rebel movement. In that enables
them TO smuggle arms and ammuni-
ton across the line without restric-
tlon.
Under direction of District Attorney
Swing OF Imperial county. Sheriff
Meadows this afternoon issued orders
closing the port OF entry at Calcxico
from Mexicali.
Berthold maintains that he has 800
insurrcctos available for service and
says that he plans TO proceed to the
across the gulf OF California
as soon as he has been Joined by the
insurgents from Ensenada.
Many Mexicall citizens moved TO
Calexico today before the district at
torney issued the orders shutting Off
their entry.