The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-10
Between Warning Factions ii
Republic of Mexico.
RIVAL ARMIES OF 1900
Pitted Against Each Other IN
Vicinity of TOrreon.
Rebels Driven Back With Loss
of Ninety Dead.

ri Paso Nav 10.-The Mexican fed'
eraI army has repulsed the rebel ao-
vance guard of General Orozco ane
sharp skirrnishes are in progress today
preliminary to what is expected TO pe
the most decisive battle OF the preseii'
revolution. Nearly 1900 men are en-
gagged on each side and the onJectlNe
point of the rebels is Torreon' the ran
road gateway of northern Mexico.
The federaIs are protecting the city
from all sides. a..
The government claims it drew nrsl
blood Yesterday, killing 80 insurrectos
and losing but seven men, ASIDE from
several wounded
In a telegraph office improVlseo IN q
boxcar on a desert, so miles north OF
Torreon General Victoriano Huerta,
commander of the federal army OF
northern Mexico, transmitted TO-DAY DS
telegraph to an Associated Press rep
resentative here news of military ae-
Velopments of the last "a hours Inc
boxcar stood a few miles from the lo"li
of Bermejillo. The wire had been sci
nm direct to the federal camp being
routed from Ell Paso via Laredo, Tex
Monterey and Torreon. a roundabout
circuit eastward of more than 4'OoV
miles. This was made necessary py
the seizure of all telegraphic lines ol-
rectly south of here by the rebels. From
the improvised telegraph office General
Huerta talked enthusiastically OF the
future battle.
General Huerta's Report.
yesterday, Thursday. Gen. Rabago
completely routed 1000 rebels at Zara-
toza and Tlahualilo. both near Tor
reon." said General Huerta.
The rebels lost 30 dead and many
wounded, while our loss was seven
dead and a few wounded. The rebels
were driven back in hasty flight ana
were pursued by cavalry under Gen.
Villa.
"On Wednesday we heard that de-
tachment OF 1000 rebels were advanc-
ing on US and we organized a column
which went by railroad under General
Rabago To cut off retreat we sent
over land volunteer and regular cavalry
from the forces of Villa They arriv-
ed about o'clock Thursday morning
and Immediately attacked the rebels.
As the fight became more intense, Gen.
Rabago arrived and fianked the reb-
els He had with him artillery and
machine guns. The fight lasted six
hours. We completely routed the enc
my, and without exaggeration one can
say they ran like rats. Our losses were
seven wounded mad two killed.
communication NdS Interrupted 1OT d
few minutes.
"A telegram has just been brought to
me from Gen. Trucy Aubert at Cuatro
Ciengan which says the rebel chief
Salazar was completely routed and is
running away in the direction of Sierra
Mojada," said Huerta.
Couriers in the advance guard at this
tuncture arrived according to Huerta
and informed him that the federal out
posts were in possession of the Mexican
Central railroad up to within II miles
of BermejillO.
No communication was had here with
the rebel front early today but the lib
eral officials here concede they met
stubborn resistance in the initial skir-
mishing.
Today is the first anniversary of the
surrender of Juarez to Madero and
equally important developments in Mex
lean history are said to be expected.