Omaha daily bee., 1912-05-11
oRozCo FACES THE REGULARS
Nearly Fifteen Thousand Men En-
gagged on Both Sides.
MANY sKIRMsHEs TAKE PLACE
Troops Are Protecting the Gateway
Of Northern Mexico.
FEDERAIs CLAIM FIRST BLOOD
General Huerts Says Ninety Rebels
We're killed In Preliminary skir-
mish Thursday-sakasar
Force 10 Also Routed.

Ell PAso. Tex, May lo-The Mexican
federal army has repulsed the rebel ad-
vance guard OF General orozco and sharp
skirmishes are now In progress. preilmi-
nary to what Is expected to be the most
decisive battle OF the revolution. Nearly
lS,ooo men are engaged on both sides. and
the objective point Of the rebels 10 Tor
reon. the railroad gateway OF northern
Mexico. The fsderals are protecting the
city from all sides.
The government claims Il drew first
blood yesterday, killing ninety insurrectos
and losing but seven men. aside from
several wounded.
In telegraph office. inprovised IN q
boxear on q desert. fifty miles north OF
Torreon. General victoriano Huereta.
commander Of the federal army OF north
ern Mexico, transmitted today by teie-
graph to an Associated Press representa-
tive here news OF military Developments
In the last twenty-four hours. The box
car stood a few miles from the town OF
Bermejillo.
The wire had been set up direct to the
federal camp. being routed from III Paso.
via Laredo. Tex.. Monterey and Torreon.
a roundabout circuit eastward Of more
than loo miles. This was made neces-
sary by the seizure Of eleven telesraphic
lines directly south OF here by the rebels
General Huerts Enthusia.tic.
From the improviscd telegraph office.
General Huerta talked enthusiastically
OF the future battle.
Yesterday Thursday General Rabsgo
completely routed 1000 rebels at zaratoza
and Tlahualilo. both near Torreon." said
General Huerta The rebels lost ninety
dead and many wounded, while our loss
was SEVEN dead and few wounded. Tho
rebels were driven back in hasty f1igh.
and we're pursued by cavalry under Gem
eral villa.
On Wednesday We heard that de-
tachment OF one thousand rebels were
advancing on us, and we organised q
column which went BY aIlroad under
General Rabago. To cut or retreat We
sent overland volunteer and regular cav
airy from the forces OF villa. They ar
rived about 6 o'clock Thursday morning
and Immediately attacked the rebels. As
me fight became more intense. General
Rabago arrived and flanked the rebels
He had with him artillery and machine
guns. The fight lasted six hours. We
completely routed tho enemy and with
out exaggeration. one can say they ran
like rats. Our losses were seven killed
and two wounded.
saIassr's Force Routed.
Communication was interrupted for a
few minutes.
"A telegram has Just been brought 10
me from General Trucy Aubert at custro
Cienegss which says the rebel chief Sal
azur was completely routed and is rum
ming away in the direction Of Sierra
Mojada," said General Huerta.
couriers from the advance guard at
this juncture arrived. according TO Gen
eral Huerta. and Informed him that the
federal outposts were in possession OF
the Mexican Central railroad up 10
within twelve miles of Bermejillo.
No communication was had here with
the rebel front early today. but the
liberal officials here concede they met
stubborn resistance in the initial skirm.
ishing.
Today is the first anniversary of the
surrender of Juarez TO Madero and
equally important Developments In Msxi-
can history are said to be expected.