The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-11

firms engaged in the same business.
The officers elected by the Birming-
ham Rotary club last night follow:
President. II. b. Wheelook; vice presi-
dent, J. e. Shelby; treasurer. J. W.
Donnelly; secretary. Bromfield Ridley;
sergeant at arms, r. I. ingalls,, direc-
tors, 7. H. Motion, Ed Crawford, Coll
has been impossible for residents of the
capital to ascertain the truth regarding
the movements of generals whom the
governments expects to come TO the aid
of General Huerta, the newly appointed
post commander Officially it has been
announced that both General Banquet
and General Angeles are in the city. but
this is denied in quarters equally trust-
worthy.
Generals Fail to Appear
No one has been found who actually
has seen these generals, and their failure
to appear in public is taken by many as
an indication that either they cannot
get here or are unwilling to fight.
Establishment of martial law has served
to keep inquirers blocks from the most
authoritative sources of information and
the people, keyed to the highest pitch of
expectancy, swallow with greediness
scores of rumors of alarming character.
At one time during the forenoon Cen
eral Huerta believed lie was. justified in
rsl1ing an attack on the rebels but the
latter trained their guns down the streets
leading to their positions and prepared
to resist.
Huerta's plan was changed.
Then a report gained credenee that
the rebels were about to take the Of
fensive and attack the national palace,
but the day closed without single en-
counter between the federals and the
rebels stationed about mile apart
One report which was not entertained
seriously was that the government pro-
posed to shell the capital In an effort
to subjugate Diaz and his troops. Ac-
| cording to this plan the government
would plant its cannon on hill three
! miles out and from there attempt to
drop shrapnel among the rebels.
Diaz Widening Control
/ General Daz gradually is widening the
zone he controls. He extended his picket
line this afternoon. Some Of those who still
| have faith in the power of the govern
ment profess to see in the dilatoriness
| of Diaz a weakness which will result in
| his being crushed or starved into sub
mission. Diaz with superior artillery
should be able to resist any attack now.
That peace negotiations, official anG
otherwise, were in progress today be-
came known early, but owing to the
secrecy enveloping them few outside the
principals knew the details. Excellent
order prevails throughout the city, de.
spite the absence of police and the almost
| negligible number of small patrols. All
| the banks remained closed throughout the
| day and the afternoon most of the shops
| had up heavy wooden shutters, conceal
| ing the glass fronts. The streets are de-
4 -.
| ing force and Mexico's asphalt pave
ments, renowned for their spotlessness
are tonight Uttered with rubbish.
! The street car company, sharing the
/ fear of shopkeepers and bankers that
riots might break out, has refused to
| resume traffic and cabmen are reaping
| a harvest.
J Rioting at any moment would cause nc
| surprise, yet serious disorders are not re-
garded as probable until one side or the
other has won a more decided advantage
The lower elements which make up these
mobs, require rallying cry and at pres.
| ent they are i'm doubt as to which man
they should proclaim the popular idol.
| Generals Angeles. Banquet and Huer-
| ia, with a force of government troops al
most equal to that sof the rebel body
commanded by General Diaz, are PLAN
/ ming to begin a bombaldment of the ar
|
| trenched himself. at any minute. The
loyal forces of President Madero have
| three or four cannon.
| Madero's decision to flee the capital. Al
| was said in the reports given out, was
due to General Blanquet's refusal TO stand
| by him. General Banquet arrived last
night with small portion of his forces
| supposedly loyal to Madero. but he re-
fused to fight against Gen. Felix Diaz.
|
Bridges Are Burned
| Since the arrival of Blanquets force the
bridges between the capital and Toluca
have been burned. 1t is recalled that>dur-
what course he would pursue if the ma
! tional capital were captured
! He said that he would never surrender,
but in case Mexico City was taken he
would remain IN the government palace
as long as possible and then with Who
ever remained loyal he would transfer
south, where he would keep up the fight
for constituted government
The capital apparently was not con-
vinced today that Madero would not be
able to return to the city with enough
troops to wrest from Diaz and his fol-
lowers the power they seized Sunday.
If Madero remained in the national pal
ace here or took refuge in the palace
at Chapu1tepec it was generally as
stunned that the bombardment would fol-
low There was considerable specula-
tion as to what action congress might
take. 1t was regarded as probable that
| it would demand the resignation of the