The Washington times., 1912-03-12
TAFT AGAIN ASKED
TO TAKE HAND IN
MEXICAN CRISIS
Senator Culberson Calls on
President in Interest
Of Texans.

President Taft was today asked again
| to take a hand in the Mexican situa-
| ton.
The impending battle between the
rebels and federals at Torreon and the
| depredatlons of Mexican marauders
who continue to harrass the American
towns along the border have added to
the gravity of the situation, and imme-
| date action by the United States is de-
man6ed.
The Mexican situation was broached
this morning to the President by Sem
ator Culberson of Texas.
Mr.. Culberson Is in possession of IN
formation that scores of chambers of
commerce and commercial organiza-
| tions in Texas have been calling on the
War Department to send more troops
to Texas, and the purpose of his visit
was to discuss this phase of the situ-
alton.
SSenator Culberson was unable to OBJ
| tain satisfactory audience this morn
ing. and another conference was ar
ranged for tomorrow morning.
Situation Is Desperate.
The situation as reported from Mexico
Is desperate. The rebel forces are said
to number 1000 troops as against $500
! troops under the command of General
SaIez. commander of the government
troops. General Salaz now has 5000
of these troops at Torreon, and 1000 ad-
ditional troops are expected to REIN
force him Immediately.
Gcheral Salaz Is making every effort
10 conquer hte rebels in the State Of
Durango before the main force under
tlrnZrn ha
The state Department this mornius
received dispatch telling Of a battle
In the vicinity of Torreon few days
ago IN which the rebels were completely
deleated; If General Salaz is able to
| crush the rebellion in the State of
Durango before General OrOzcos troops
| reach that place. the rebel cause will
| Sutter temporary blow.
| Nevertheless whatever the result Inc
situation Is extremely precarious and
the likelihood of Intervention will NOT
be dissipated for the present, at least no
| matter which side wins.
Marauders Enter Texas.
Mexican marauders continue to cross
| the International boundary into Texas
ana practically every city along the
border has asked the War Department
| to send additional troops. These towns
are especially anxious that the addition
al troops be modified before the rebels
and the federals meet. A large division
| OF the former under the command OF
Generals Campo and Salazar left Chi
| huahua some some days ago for Santa
Rosalie, but the difficulties encountered
along the line of march have prevent
| ed them from reaching that point OF
| vantage. Their march has been delay
| ed by the necessity of repairing bridges
| which had been torn down by brigands.
| The hope of Keneral Salaz is to con-
| Quer as much OF the State of Durango
as possible before these repairs are aC-
| Complished and the march completed.
! In the meantime Gen. Jose Delgado.
| who has recently overcome the rebel
| forces along the isthmus OF Tehaunte-
pee is hurrying north to iOin the Fed
| eral forces at Torreon. If he reaches
| General SalaZ before the rebels reach
| Torreon, there is no likelihood that the
| latter will be successful in the coming
! fight.
FederalS Win Battle.
The message telling of the fight at
Torreon some days ago was sent in
this morning by the consul general at
/ Monterey. He declares that the Fed
| eral troops were entirely victorious
| in their engagement and said that the
telegraph lines to Torreon are now
open to communication.
The State Department has also been
informed that there are about 1000
Federals in Guadalajara. Two bands
| of rebels are also reported to be in
| the state of Jalisco. but they are not
| considered dangerous.
| 1t is reported that Henry G. Hanna.
who is said to be a relative of the
| consul general at Monterey, and
about whose safety there has been
some apprehension, is safe at Dur
| anSo,