Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-23
Appear to Have Advantage in
Big Battle Now On.
OROZCO is ON FIRING LINE
Federals Fall Back, Losing Two
Cannon and Machine Gun.
1nsurrectos Hard Pressed in Yester-
days Fighting-orozco's
Soldiers Deserving.

RELLANO, Mexico, May g.
After three hours or more of
fighting this forenoon between
the Mexican federal and rebel
armies, reports from the rebel
front seemed to indicate a slight
advantage over the army of
Madero. The insurrectos are
holding firm their position, how
ever, having captured several
federal guns and repulsed a fed
eral attempt at flanking.
The fighting of yesterday is de-
clared to have resulted in a loss
OF $50 or more government troops.
1t is claimed Orozco drove off a
federal cavalry charge with great
loss to the assailants.
AT REBEL FRONT. RELLANO, Mex
leo, May q, $50 a.m.-Gen. ]. j. Campos
has captured two cannon and one ma
chine gun from the federal column on the
left. The advantage appears to be with
the rebels In that they are holding firm
their positions.
Gen. Huerta, the federal chief attempt
ed q flank movement behind the hills to
the east, but was unsuccessful. Gen.
Orozco has been on the firing line since 5
o'clock.
At $50 the federal main force fell back
and the flank movement was checked.
The federal fire was desultory.
Renew Fighting at Daybreak.
AT FEDERAL FRONT. NEAR REL
LNAO. Mexico, May 23.-F1ghting be-
tween the main rebel and federal armies
was renewed at daybreak. The govern
ment troops opened the engagement
against the insurrectos with sharp artil-
lery fire. There was quick response from
the rebel front, which seems well forti-
fed.
Today's battle is expected to mark the
turning point in the Mexican rebellion.
When night interrupted yesterdays .
combat 1t appeared as If the rebels had
been slowly disorganized by the fierce
artillery fire from the government front.
The federals count upon their long-range
guns to drive the enemy back into the
northwest, in much the manner of the
battle at Conejos a week ago Sunday.
The engagement which began yesterday
is the climax OF two weeks OF hard
marching through the desert plains OF
| northern Mexico by the 1900 federal
bridges and constructing practically a
new railroad over the course which had
been taken by the retreating rebels, the
government troops have pushed their
to the battle-ground. The insurrectos,
under Gen. Orozco, are believed to num-
ber 5000 men.
Guard Officers Coming Here.
DENVER, Col, May 23.-Adjt. Gen.
Chase of the Colorado National Guard
left here yesterday for Washington. 1t
is reported here that the War Depart
ment has issued orders to the adjutant
generals of all state National Guards to
meet in Washington in a conference at
once at the governments expense. The
Mexican situation is said to be the
cause.
Orozco's Soldiers Deserving.
Orozco's soldiers are continuing to de-
sert In large numbers. according to Of
fetal reports to the State Department
today. The rebels south of Torreon are
| burning bridges and cutting communica-
ton with the towns south of that place.
The Americans at Velardena and Asarco,
Durango. who several days were re-
ported in a serious condition because of
lack of supplies through having to feed
the rebel column apparently are better.
The federal commander of the Monterey
zone declared hat the rebels were driven
out of those places yesterday, and that
he woull do all he could for the foreigners
at that place.