The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-10-23
FEDERAL FORCES
BEGIN ADVANCE.
Commander Informs Vera Cruz
Council That Battle Is
About 10 Start.
ADDITIONS TO DIAZ CAUSE
Boats in Harbor Have on Board
More Than 5000.
Refugees.

Vera Cruz. Mexico. October ec.-The
Federal forces beSan their advance
On Vera Cruz at noon to-day The
rebels. under General Feiix Dtaz. who
occupied the city. calmly awaited their
approach.
General BeItrsn. commander Of the
Fecerals. had previously informed the
City Council that the Dsttie was about
TO begin He declined to allow more
time Tor the removal Of noncoinbatants
70 the neutral zone.
The boats in the harbor have on
board more than 5000 foreign refugees
and 10000 Mexicans The United
states cruiser Des Moines is lying
about 500 yards from the American
consulate. The space between Is
craft have taken up positions there.
Only thirty-two Americans remain
within the town. The foreign consuis
have gone aboard the boats The
American consul. William Canada. has
assumed leadership OF the situation.
Rain threatens to drench the refugees
and fighters.
Within an hour or two the Felerals
were only seven miles from the city.
General Disz said that the artillery on
the heights in the outskirts Will nfe
on the local troops only ~ MS OUT
posts are driven back VIII he hsht IN
the city.
Promiscuous nring seemed to indi.
cate that the battle Aad started. II
was a false alarm, however. as Cen
eral Bettran sent an emissary onerins
a truce until daybreak tomorrow.
This II taken here TO mean that Bel
tran will probably Join the revolution
The troops under General Diaz were
sent back to the barracks. and CON
dit.ons became quiet -, thirty anS s so,nes
DiaA A few OF the Federals from
General Behran's outposts also came
over to the dag cause.
ChSefs withost Anbition.
Ell PAso. Texas. october 2e.-None
OF the chiefs has personal ambition.
and they are disposed to unite with
any new revolutionary movement ~nich
has patriotic tendencies" declared tas-
cuaf Crozco III a letter received to-
day The letter was dated October II
at Rancho Santo Domingo. near Eagle
Pass.
General O-ozco is moving west A
report received to-day by United states
officers Is that O-1cco intends TO re-
enter Chihuahua. encouraged b. re-
cent rebel successes in the south OF
Mexico. In the letter. Orozco wants
At,ornev Gomez Retaolo his represez-
ta.ive here TO take care not to violate
the neutrality laws and TO give the
press only verified facts. regardless OF
craftsmanship. Orozco denies he has
been in the United States. All remains
quiet about Iuarez Rebels under Sa-
border town. have retired 10 the hihs.
evidently expecting reinforcements.
Decisive Battle Expected.
Washington. October 22.-AithouSh
In number the armies confronting each
other at the rebel-invested port of
Vera Cruz are considerably smaller
than those engaged in earlier battles
IN the State of Chihuahua. oncials
here are inclined TO believe the de-
cisive battle Of the Mexican reTo-
luton will be fought by these forces.
The State Department Is ignorant
Of the number Of troops under the
Federal general. Beitran, who has given
notice OF his intention to attack the
town.
The State Department declines to di-
vulge the information OF the strength
OF the forces While no specific in