Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-05-13
BURN BRIDGES IN REAR
Defeated Rebels Take Position in the
Trenches at Rellano.
REFUGEES BOARD THE BUF0RD
About 200 Expected to Leave Mex
leo on Vessel-Gomez's Status
Undetermined.

RELLANO, Mexico. May 13-Gen Oroz-
co. the rebel chief. today mustered his
army for a final stand against the ad-
vancing federals.
Admitting that the government forces
are better equipped in artillery. the rebel
leader declares he is withdrawing his
troops to the vicinity of Rellano so they
may have the advantage of the fortifica-
tons and trenches from which three
weeks ago the rebels nearly annihilated
the federal command of Gen. Gonzales
Salas. who committed suicide when the
battle went against him.
Though rebel casualties in the en-
gagement of yesterday were great, the
liberal leaders declare the government
likewise suffered heavily. and except for
the loss of important positions at Conejos
they claim an even break in the fighting.
No Fighting Expected Today.
All of the generals and their commands
have been ordered to mobilize here, where
the entire fighting strength Of the insur-
rectos will be thrown against the enemy.
AT THE FEDERAL FRONT. CONE
JOS, Mexico May 13.- Burning bridges
behind them, the Mexican rebels today
continued their retreat northward before
the federal army of Gen. Huerta, victor
ious in the last three days fighting. Five
bridges, spanning wide arroyos, were de-
stroyed by the insurgents, causing delay
to government troop trains.
No fighting was expected today, as
both sides were occupied with their dead
and wounded from yesterdays engage
ment.
The rebels are believed to have lost
600 in killed and wounded.
Federals Rely on Artillery.
Gen. Orozco'c headquarters have been
moved northward to Rellano from Es
calon retreat Of eleven miles The
rebel advance guard after the defeat
Of yesterday at Conejos. fifty-five miles
north of Torreon. today was sighted
behind Yermo, fourteen miles north Of
here on the Mexican Central railroad.
Though skirmishing is expected con-
stantly, another decisive clash prob
ably will not occur for twentyfour
hours.
Rellano. once the battle-ground in the
present revolution, again may be the
meeting place of the two armies. Thus
far the advantage has been with the
/ government troops, as they steadily
have pushed the rebels northward
toward the American border.
The superior artillery fire of the gov
ernment troops, driving the insurrectos
SO far back that their infantry fire be-
came ineffective, is counted on to force
the Orozco army still farther northward.
Battle Lasts Twelve Hours.
Twelve hours of brisk fighting on the
desert plains 300 miles south OF the
American border between a force of
5000 rebels under Gen. Orozco, and an
equally strong body Of federals under
Gen. Huerta. resulted yesterday in a de-
cided advantage to the government.
The fighting began at daybreak, and at
nightfall the sandy mesas between here
and Yermo, fourteen miles north, where
the insurrectos were gradually forced
back, were covered with dead and
wounded.
Nearly 500 are believed to have been
killed and wounded on both sides. A
courier reported that Gen. Trucy Aubert,
the dashing federal commander, had been
shot in the leg.
much ammunition in their retreat.
Gen. Joaquin Teller. who had been sta
toned in the rear of Huerta's s vanguard
at noon, was sent around to the eastward
to flank the rebels and cut of their re-
treat Tonight federal headquarters claim
the rebels are completely surrounded, and
that the second day Of fighting will prove
equally decisive.
This town, only yesterday occupied by
the vanguard of the rebels, was nddled
with bullets when the federals galloped
into it at sunset. Over the foothills to
the north the insurrectos could be seen
retreating.
Refugees Board the Buford.
According to reports received at the
State Department the federals north Of
Torreon are driving the revolutionists be-
fore them and the federals have retaken
Cuatro Cienegas. at which place the rev.
olutionists suffered a loss of 500 or 600
men.
Reports from the Buford state that that
vessel took on board q half dozen refu-
gees at Topolobampo, a score at Altata
and about 100 at Mazatlan, and is expect
ed to take about seventy at San Bias
She reports conditions serious in Culiacan
and the surrounding districts and that
the federals have defeated the rebels in
several engagements. namely, at Mo-
querito. Esquinapa, Acaponeta and Ros-
ario, but the rebels are once more threat
ening Rosario. Order is said to prevail
throughout the state of Tabasco.
Whether any movement will be made
by the United States authorities to ap-
prehend Emilio VasQuez Gomez on a
charge of violating the neutrality laws
was not known at the State Department
today. 1t was declared this matter
was for the Department of Justice to
consider. The significant remark was
made at the State Department however,
that 1t was probable that with the legal
advice which Gomez has had he In-
doubtedly knew his position before he
fed from JuareZ