Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-01
BATTLE Rndr1 ;';:;;; :
FOR 3 DAYS At
SAhTABARBARA.
Coincident With Reports Of
This Engagement Comes
Doubts From Insurrectos
Concerning Peace Plans.

Ell Paso. Tex, March 31.-A stub.
bornly fought and bloody battle be-
tween 800 insurrectos and 200 federal
troops, has ragged around the little
town Of Santa Barbara, southwest OF
the city OF chihuahua, since Wednes-
day morning, according to telegram
received here last night from Parral.
Both sides have sent for reinforce
ments.
Wednesday morning, according to
the Parrel dispatch. the insurrectos
attacked and took Santa Baraba. but
before they could strengthen it's de-
lenses, the federals rallied and at
tempted to re-take tic place. A body
of twenty-five rurals charged through
the insurrecto lines and succeeded IN
reaching the municipal building but
were, cut OF from the main federal
body They took refuge in the build
in but the telegram does not reveal
their fate.
Finding himself out numbered, Col.
in command of the federal
troops, sent to Parral for reinforce
ments and the insurrecto leaders are
said to have dispatched messengers
in tie direction OF the camp Of Madero
and Orozco on similar errand.
Neither side had received reinforce
ments when the message reached her.
It is said both sids exhibited the
greatest coolness and bravery and the
percentage OF killed and wounded Is
high.
Peace Prospects Less Bright.
Oficers OF the insurrecto junta here,
while declaring they hope earnestly
for peace again stated today that there
seems little prospect for 1t and said
there would be no cessation OF hosti-
lites. Gonzales Cara, insurrecto
ses4etary Of state, rays the army II
tlrS Held will nave the final vote on
any peace negotiations and that ne
does not believe they will vote to &C
cept any terms that do not include the
resignation OF President Diaz.
Apparently railroad of1cials have
given up hope Of opening the Mexican
national lines between Juarez and chi
huahua, as they have begun to send
freight in the Juarez yards back INTO
the United States under bond TO ne
routed via Eagle Pass. Nothing had
moved between Juarez and Chihuahua
since Jan. 20 except the armored
train bearing Gen. Narravo's rein
forcements, which repaired tracks and
bridges under cover Of field guns.
Repair work on the Mexico North
western road is proceeding without
between Juarez and
Pearson.
Thousands Reported Killed.
Tucson. Ariz., March 31.-That q
thousand men have been killed on
both sides in battle between federal
and rebels in the vicinity OF San
Rafael and Ures, Mexico, since Mon
day is reported by a federal omcer IN
Nogales, Sonora, according to spec
ial to local paper from Nogales. The
officers said to have given this report
to fellow officers upon receipt OF news
from Hermosillo. The destruction OF
big flour mill at San Rafael by dyna-
mite is said to have been followed Dy
a fire which completely DESTROYED the
town. It is said many women ana
children are numbered among the VIC
tins of the engagement fought while
the town was burning. The rebels In
the vicinity of Ures are SAID 10 NUM-
ber 1900.
Junta Discredits Report.
Ell Paso Tex, March 31.-Although
reports RECEIVED here indicate heavy
fighting at Ures, Sonora, representa-
tiyes OF both factions declare the re-
port that 1000 men have been killed
on each side is without foundation.
Representatives Of the insurrecto
junta here, in close touch with the war
zone, declare the insurrecto force
which might have been engaged NUM-
bers but LOO and that not more than
1000 men were engaged on both sides.
The statement from Tucson that the
town Of San Rafael had been destroy
ed by fire is discredited as the. town
consists almost entirely Of adobe
houses with mud roofs which are
practically fire proof. 1t is believed
the loss Of life has been heavy, how
aver GEa.t