The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-11
.FEDERALS BEATEN
 NEAR ESCALON One Hundred Federals Are Killed and Captured HUERTA AT CAPITAL Administrations Predicament Is Fast Becoming Critical Despite Off, cial Assurance of Improve
 ment-Three Revolts
HUERTA AT CAPITAL

Mexico City October 1o-Carefully cen sored reports from the north tell of battle yesterday near Escalon. in which the federal Major Jose Tello was defeat ed by a force of rebels. It is reported 100 federals were killed and Major Tello and all but one other federal officer cap tured. The rebel loss is reported to be even greater. The federals also are re- ported to have taken some prisoners. In the rebels force were five old lieu tenants of orozco.
 Major Tello had been ordered to drive the rebels from the Derrame ranch, where they had been holding council The en- counter took place at the San Aguistin ranch, nearby.
 The rebels fought from the ranch buld- irgs, but as the federals did not advance they pretended to retreat. Then the fed erals followed and were subjected to heavy fire and were forced to withdraw. Jesse Orozco, a cousin of Pascual, and Felix Terrazas commanded the rebels. but were reinforced by Cheche Campos, Luis Fernandez and Francisco Del Zorro. Huerta in Capital General Huerta, who nearly a month ago was granted leave of absence to have his eyes treated, reached the cap ital today, bringing approximately 1000 men who were engaged in the northern campaign.
 The rapid shifting of the government forces throughout the greater part of the republic, coupled with an increas- i,e ba,. disturbances are reported daily, has served to strengthen the popular belief that the administrators predicament is fact becoming critical in spite of off cial assurances of improvement In gen. eral the country's troubles can be class- fled under three heads--a more or less organized movement in the north includ- ing the states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Goa huila, Neuvo Leon and Durango; General Aguilar's rebellion in the state of Vera Cruz and Puebla, and a warfare not un- like anarchy in the state of Mexico, Mo- relos, Guerrero. Michoacan and Zaca- tecas. with. proving bands in other states.
 Operations of the rebels along the line of the Northwestern railroad and in southern Chihuahua along the line of the Central-the very territory from which Orozco's army was driven by General Huerta-give evidence of the governments inability to maintain peace in that re- zion. General Banquet, after the defeat of 5000 of Caraverro's men on Saturday at Alto de las Esperanzas, state of Nueyo Leon, announced the departure of the dispersed" rebels for Chihuahua but it has since been reported that bands are operating in that state. and there Is notable increase in activity in Nuevo Leon adjoining.
 The first messages from the north since October were received today from Jim meg. Tney tofd or generar con centration movement of the insurgents near Escalon. Later came news of the engagement
 Aquilar Evades Federals
 In the state of Vera Cruz Aguilar has succeeded in evading a serious encounter with the federals, who appear cautious considerable force of federals has been concentrated on the Mexican railway while most of Aguilar's army is some dis tance to the south The region giving the administration most cause for worry, however, is that overrun by bands who for want of better name still are styled Zapatistas, though it is doubtful if more than a small percentage ever receive or ders from the notorious rebel Of Morelos
 The government makes no secret of the fact that it would be glad to arrange peace with Zapata and 1t is asserted ne- gotiations to that end are under way.
 The state of Mexico, which practically surrounds the federal district Is almost covered with guerillas, bandits and some more completely organized bands of reb- els who raid. sack, burn and kill in one region today and another tomorrow. They keep the wearier government forces hur- rying from point to point
 The closeness of the rebels to the rich mining camps in the Fly Orc district anu the disposition of foreigners to assist fin repelling any attack has created a more lively interest here in the situation, which was relieved slightly today by the dis patch of more federals, after urgent rep vaccinations from the American ambassa- dor.