The Washington times., 1912-05-12
DECISIVE BATTLE
IN MEXICAN WAR
rs BEING FOUGHT
Fifteen Thousand Troops in
+ Struggle Near Torreon,
Gateway to Capital.

Ell PAso, Tex. May 12.-The battle
between the federals and rebels for the
Possession Of Torreon. gateway from
northern Mexico to the national capi-
tai. continues. Reports this morning
from the federal forces near Torreon
received here by Mexican Consul e. C.
Llorente, who converses nightly with
the generals in the field by telegraph,
were that the federals had driven the
rebels a considerable distance north.
Federal Commander Huerta sent word
that the rebels were retreating, and
that their loss had been heavy and
that his artillery had inflicted severe
damage.
The rebel officials in Juarez deny this,
and declare that the rebels are only
railing back in the center to entice the
federals from Torreon, while right and
left flank movements are accomplished
In an effort to- get the federals sur
rounded. Col Pascual Orozco, COM
manding the Juarez rebel garrison and
father OF the rebel commander at the
front. declares that the rebels are al
ready investing Torreon in the rear Of
the federals, and that they were fight
Ing during the night with the federal
garrison that remains in Torreon. He
also says re-enforcements for the rebels
nave arrived from the south, and that
the federal army is again surrounded.
He declared In three days the liberal
army will be garrisoning Torreon. and
Madero will be treating for terms. We
Will have his northern army prisoners"
Fighting Is Severe.
The fighting has been severe. This
much is known. The brief bulletins per-
mitted by the rebel censor to come from
Escalon, where the correspondents are
held, far to the rear of the fighting say
there there is much suffering among the
rebels for lack of food and water and
from the dust and heat. The bulletins
also state that the rebel wounded are
numerous. with little care. The dead
are being left on the field The rebels
claim not to have fallen back more than
twenty miles since the battle opened
Thursday and claim that their wings
have been steadily advancing, drawing
in as they march and closing about the
federals
Mexican war news is the most diff.
cult in the world to sift to the meat
A federal general. in full retreat. will
report to his superiors that he has
driven the enemy from the field and q
rebel general, falling back under gall
ing fire, will declare that he Is doing 4
to trap the enemy. Both sides nov
make claims of this character. Jus
what truth there Is In the claims OF
either side must be guessed at in large
measure Only one thing is positive anc
that is the heavy fighting and that II
has been continuous for almost three
days.
Armies Evenly Matched.
The armies are supposed to be evenly
matched in point of numbers, with the
advantage in numbers, If any, in favor
OF the rebels, but this is offset by the
better fighting equipment of the FEEDER
ais. There are at least 1900 men en-
gagged in the battle, the largest numbe'
engaged In North American in one figh
since the civil war, 1t is declared by mill
tary experts. Much of the fighting hai
been at long range, and, as is usual will
Mexican fighting. there has been much
wasted ammunition, as a Mexican sol
dier shoots from the hip unless fightinf
from behind rocks, and fifty bullets ar
wasted where one claims victim. Th'
battle will be decisive, 1t Is believed, n
upon it's outcome will depend the future
of the revolution. The rebels II defeatet
will have to retreat and will be forced
to break into small marauding bands t
find subsistence.