The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-03-26
REBELS NEARING
MEXICAN CAPITAL
Madero Abandons Affected
Sections Both to the
North and South
COUNTRY AT MERCY
OF ROBBER BANDS
Revolutionists Attempt to
Levy Tribute in Chihua-
hua Tax American
Mine Property

WASHINGTON. March 25.-Aban-
! doning all other affected regions to the
mercies of robber bands and rowing
troops OF rebeis. in & desperate effort
to turn the large rebel army that is
advancing toward Mexico City, Madero
/ liz massing all available troops around
Ecalan, and at strategic points on the
outskirts OF the capitat city Itself.
Already fierce fighting between
! Orozcos increasing rebel army Of g.
600 men. and the Madero commander
with similar force has begun. The
department of State is convinced that
the battle Of today resulted IN favor
OF the Federal forces. II bases its
belief on the ahsencC of definite news,
and the fact that the rebels are in
control of practically all telegraph
| lines.
IL the rebel army Is finally victorious.
/ the defense OF Madero must neces-
sarily crumble. and their advance to
| the capital viii he unhindered.
Situation is Critical.
| Alarmed by the critical situation
throughout the republic. acting Sec
| rotary Wilson spent most OF the af-
| ternoon in consultation with President
Taft. Following the conference urgent
| instructions were sent to American
| consuls throughout Mexico to rush ali
possible news.
An attempt by revolutionary officers
| to levy Sl.200. 900 tribute on business
men in Chihuahua city is now in pro-
gress. This vast sum is represented
To be "a loan guaranteed by the Chi
| huahua State government
/ Attempts are also being made to
| collect all taxes on mining properties
| due April LIST in advance.
| Protests at contribution to this H.
| legal and piratical loan. and to the
tax fund are met by the unanswerahl BILE
argument that they must be given
! willingly" OF that they will be taken
| by force.
Wild Disorder in Progress.
Federal troops having peen with
| drawn from Oaxaca- MoreIos. Pueblo.
| Guerrero. and Sisaloa. TO defend the
| capital scenes OF wild disorder are
| in progress throughout these States.
The Zapatistas near Puebla have
severed railway communication be-
tween that State and Oaxaca over
the Pan-American railroad.
In Durango. Sinaloa and Guerrero
ranches are being piliaged and burn
ed. bandits and rebels alike are hold
ing up and robbing travellers. A small
force OF Federal soldiers, all that can
70 spared in the emergency. are being
hurried to the town OF Mapimi to
protect the mercantile and mining
interests OF AMERICANS
To Break UP Juntas.
For the purpose of barring all
revolutionary juntas from operation
in the United States. Senator Root
has introduced an amendment to the
the deportation OF any alien who
shall take advantage of his residence
Ia the United States to conspire with
others for the violent overthrow OF a
foreign government recognized by the
United States
AZ this amendment will have the
practical effect Of handing such con-
spirators over to the particular gov
eminent. they are attempting to de-
Siroy Senator Root believes 1t will
at least make them more cautious In
their movements.
IT Is notorious fact" said Sena-
tor Root today, that the Mexicans
engaged in fomenting revolution in
their own country conduct their ope-
rations from San Antonio. New Or
| teams 10 tho headquarters of these
men who make a business OF organic
ing disturbances In Central American
states. II Is this sort of thing that
my amendment seeks TO prevent
-. MExlCQ. ,GITles Maral. .al,4-~-O t3as.ial
reports state that the Federal forces
were forced to retreat to Torreon. after
suffering a decisive defeat at Escaion.
Saturday and Sunday.
Heavy losses are reported, Com
mander in Chief General Gonzales
Salas committed suicide rather than
face the disgrace OF defeat. General
vacancy.
The story of the dynamite loaded
train crashing snto the .sra@ps has
been confirmed. although official re.
ports make It appear that the Federals
merely withdrew. The indications are
that the Federnls suffered crushing
defeat II the rebels push their ad-
vantage Torreon win probably fall.
Both Generals Blanruct and Teller
are reported wounded.
Other officers were killed and forty
officers taken prisoners TO the city
Of chihuahua, together with many
privates.
General Pascual Orozco. with 1874
carloads OF rebel soidiery. " report
ed moving To TOrreon, where the
Federal troops are conferred.
The rebel victory came after four
days OF almost continuous fighting In
which the early advantage seemed to
be with the government. the first
defections in the Federal ranks came
yesterday when the troops began to
give way toward Torreon. This move
ment Ii now said to he almost a
rout. the exhausted and panic
stricken government troops pouring
into the city by the hundreds.
Tho condition OF the poor Of Tor
reon Ii said to be desperate. They are
without food or clothing and the adj
vent OF the soldiers, 1t II believed.
will bring things to crisis
Foreigners are preparing for an
outbreak.
JUDGE WITT CONTINUES