Norwich bulletin., 1913-02-14

Mexico City. Feb. 13.-At , o'clock
 this evening it was reported that General Diaz had demanded the sur render of the national palace. All through the day the rebel batteries o1 heavy guns were throwing a fierce fire of shrapnel around the palace. Many of these dropped into the Zocalo which fronts the building, and federal sol dferS were compelled to move to cover.
 Before dark the fire on both sides was inter .I,ittent, but apparently less Vigorous from the federals. The gov crEn1enr troops were receiving ammu- nitlon in small consignm ments and it was said that they were running short.
 Diaz Was We'll Prepared.
 The fifth day of the battle began at s o'clock, battery of federal artillery opening fire on the arsenal, but, all though the bombardn1ent was kept up without cessation for an hour or more, it had no appreciable effect on the rebel defenseS.
 That Dia. had prepared for the threatened overwhelming movement by ised would be carried through today, was shown by the fact that he had stationed s.-arpshooters on the roofs of adjoining buildings, had despatched st fcrre Outside his lines to the west of the city and had placed his heaviest
  approaches to his stron ghold-
 National Palace Fired Upon. General Huerta, commanding the federals, had promised to rush the Notifications on the rebels, but he elected instead to employ his artillery from the various points. of vantage. Only once during the early part of the day did the infantry come into ac- Eon-
 During the heavy smelling of the palace Diaz apparently moved some of his forces to the southeast of the city and shortly after F o'clock the palace was made the target of both shells and rifle fire from that district Coin the rebels succeeded in ex- tending their zone of activity in other directions.
 American Club RiddEed.
 The rebel fire towards the palace was intended not only to bring about its surrender, but had for it's purpose also the clearing of the intervening high buildings of machine guns and rifiemen and of silencing the federal battery operating in San Juan Letran street, at a point midway between the arsenal and the palace
 This smelling wrought havoc among the buildings in that section of the city. The American club was riddled. The interior of this building on the l second and third floors was complete l ly wrecked Of forty Americans with l in it at the time several had an almost l escape from death
 Seven Shells Tear Through Walls.
 In all, seven shells tore through the i the reading room across the greater | length of the front on the second 1 story The others entered above the | second story on the sides, which are not protected by buildings.
 In addition to the shell fire, the in | terior as well as the exterior of the i American club was perforated in scores of places by bullets from rifles and machine guns.
 Taft's Portrait Least Damaged.
 The shells which entered the read ng room tore their way through the stone window castings. demolished a leavy leather chair and exploded with errific force. Shrapnel was hurled Il all directions, cutting the furniture o ribbons ripping the floors and walls md puncturing in a score of places he portraits which hung around the 'oom. The portrait most seriously damaged was that of President Ma lero.
 President McKinley's face is now !st in a circle of holes, while the DOT kait Of President Taft, hanging near, escaped with single mark.
 President elect Wilson's features were riddled, while at the other end If the line of portraits balls found ,lenty of lodgment in the picture of mother democrat, Jefferson.
 Many Americans in Rear Room.
 To the rear of this room is large ne used for billiards and pool. There many Americans were gathered, as he management had forbidden the members to assemble. in the front oom, when a second shell crashed trough the wall. These tore a way trough the story above.
 Portions of shrapnel shell were ur1ed through the floor above the ilIiard rooms among a group of .mericans there. Sleeping rooms on he four floor were wrecked. From ne the entire wall was torn away. The wreckfng of this building is ypical of the damage done~ many thers in all parts of the city.
 Troy Man Injured.
 Just around the corner from the .merican club, near Porter's hotel, . M Meredith of Troy was injured 1day. He was struck by shrapnel, uffering scalp wound.
 MEDIATION PROPOSED.