Evening star., 1912-10-03
RURAL GUARDS IN TIME
Foil Revolutionists' Attempt to Gain
Ransom Money.
GEN. AGUILAR A MENACE
Threatens Communication Between
Capital and Vera Cruz-Rus-
sells Killing Confirmed.

MEAICO CITY, October 3.-Thret
American citizens We're rescued by rura
guards today from the rebels just as
they were being compelled. at the muz
zles of rifles, to write letters to friends
in the capital asking for money for theil
ransom.
The men were A. B. Skolen. L. j. Slat.
terry and C. J. Miller. They are civil
engineers, and were engaged on railway
survey work when they were captured by
the rebels and taken to camp near
Amecameca, thirty miles to the south.
east Of this city. Their captors insisted
that they were probably spies or news
paper men and in either case they should
be shot.
A body of rural guards made an op-
perfume attack on the rebel camp this
morning and in the confusion resulting
from the sudden assault the prisoners
were abandoned by the rebels.
Revolution Dangerous.
Threatening the means of communica-
ton by rail between Mexico City and
its Fort of Vera Cruz, the independent
revolution recently started by Gen. Hi
ginio Aguilar is now assuming danger
GUS proportions Today's reports to the
State Department are that these rebels
already have blown up large bridge on
the Mexican railway and destroyed the
track at several points in the mountains
near EsperanZa. They have obtained pos
session of a quantity of dynamite which,
they are using in their reconnoitering
operations.
1t is reported from Vera Cruz that the
rebels have appeared in large force in
hn OH ,hnr - Io
spur of the Mexican railway about halt
way between Vera Cruz and the capital,
and demanded the surrender of the town
An explanation of the revolt of Aguilar,
who was one Of the oldest and most
trusted of the federal generals, is found
in the fact that he was recently ar
rested on charge of plotting against
the Mexican government and was re-
leased on bail.
Russell Murder Confirmed.
Confirmation of the report that Hubert
l.. Russell, an American, was murdered
by band of Mexican rebels near Du-
range, in the state of that name, last Sun
day, has been received at the State De-
partment. . The murder was committed
by band under the leadership Of Luis
Pase. Acting under orders from Mexico
City. federal troops are in pursuit of the
perpetrators. MT. russell was manager
of the San Juan de Michis plantation
near the Zacatecas line in southeastern
Durango. That plantation belongs to
Allen c. McCaughan. American vice con-
sui at Durango, who 1t was at first er-
roneously reported had been slain with
Russell.
Compliments Soldiers.
Sheriff Wheeler of Cochise county, Ariz.,
i'll which is located the town of Douglas,
where some of the officers Of the 9th
Cavalry had some friction with the local
authorities. through a forcible search of
hotel for a fugitive Mexican rebel Of
fcer has assured the War Department
that there is no sentiment in that quar-
ter against the United States Army He
asserts that the reports Of differences
between the civil and military author
tiles there were based upon a purely
technical misunderstanding (probably re-
ferring to the doiniciary visit without a
search warranty. and compliments in
high terms the conduct and discipline OF
the officers and men of the 9th Cavalry
stationed in that town. He makes no
mention of the reported arrest of any OF
the army officers.