New-York tribune., 1911-02-04
MEXICAN INSURGENTS
BES|EG|NC JUAREz
Federal Forces Warned Of an
Attack on Town Across
Texan Border.
MAYOR CLOSES BUSINESS
Ammunition and Men Reported
Lacking TO Resist Assault
America Keeps
Neutrality.

/ Fl Paso Tex, Feb 3--A messenger from
! General orozco commanding the insurgent
troops threatening Jusrez. across the border
I from this city. made his way into FL Paso
late this afternoon He bore a. message
/ from the revolutionary leader asking that
message be sent from II Paso 10 notify
the American consul at Juarez. warning
him of the intended assault and requesting
him to warn non-combatants IN seek safety.
The generals message added that former
messengers sent direct 70 Juares had been
intercepted by the federal authorities The
messenger made a trip around Juarez,
crossing the border north of the city.
InouiY7 here tonight in 2. measure con-
! firms the report that foreign consuls IN
/ Juare7 have been informed Of the impeno j.
| Ing attack b. Orozco and admonished TO
govern themselves accordingly.
The message sent by special messenger
/ has been supplemented by verbal admoni-
tion that the attack may he sudden Nj.
I Edwards American Consul says that he
has already warned the american inhsbi-
tarts Of Jusrez and IT Is his understanding
that the situation is generally realized.
\ party of four Americans who were
/ recommending south of Juarez this after
noon reported the main insurgent force
/ eleven miles south Of the city and advanc-
ing, but tho scouting party believed they
/ saw indications that anotno, BODY Of troops
| had been sent 20 approach the city from
/ the west
/ Rartoldo Crozcc uncle of the rebel gem
/ eral. who has been under arrest by the
/ federal authorities for two weeks, was set
/ free this afternoon.
/ Orozco is said 10 he advancing with six
/ hundred men, and Blanco. with five hun
dred more. is Fastening from the west 10
assist him.
4 temporary telegraph circuit was made
/ up this afternoon from Juarcz, by way of
/ FL PaSo, san Antonio and Laredo. Tex, 10
J Mexico City. Ofic!als in Juarez communi-
/ Gated 20 officials in Mexico the defeat Of
I Colonel Rabagc by Orozco about ten days
( ago. and impaired the further Information
/ that there was not enough ammunition in
/ Juarez to make a successful defence Of tho
/ city.
I An unexpected turn was given TO the
( situation to-day. however. by the possible
| action Of the United states government in
| considering the advisability Of sending
| American troops into JUarez - protect
/ American interests and prevent the threat
/ oncd bombardment. Unless reinforcements
arrive the three hundred federal troops
/ constituting the garrison Of Juarez prob
! ably could not prevent the city from falling
into the hands Of the insurgents.
An unconhrrned rumor was current that
the Mexican government had asked per
mission TO send reinforcemets 70 Juarez
from sonora across Inlttd states terri.
tory, the railway lines In Mexico being
blocked
Juarez to-day is deserted city. Bust
ness houses have been closed, as have been
/ the postoffice, banks and racetrack. and
hundreds Of inhabitants Of JUarez have fed
across the International bridge to the pro-
lection Of United states territory. \ few
soldiers and police are on the streets and
guards are ar the racetrsck but otherwise
the town is as II q plague had stricken It..
The Mayor ordered AL places of business
closed at IN o'clock this morning. Amer
lean and other foreign flags were at once
put ont by residents. The consuls had not
received notice Of an attack ard the Mayor
declined t. say why he issued tho closing
c,,le~