The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-02-18
MATAMOROS QUIETLY
GOES OYER TO DIAZ
Garrison of Mexican Port Openly
RenOunces Allegiance
to MaderO.
MAYOR Is SENT TO JAIL
Change to Rebel Control Is
Made without BlOOdshcd
or Excitement.
MAYOR Is SENT TO JAl

MATAMoRos. Mexico, Feb. 1I.-With-
out the firing OF a gun Heroic Mata-
moros, one Of the principal ports of
entry on the Mexican border. situated
just across the Rio Grande from
Brownsville. passed into the control of
Felix Daz's followers early this morn
ing. This was accomplished by the
mutiny OF $50 Federal rurales and 120
Federal troops with their officers.
The capital II standing for Heroic
was prefixcd to Matamoros in ten days
of martial strife. when this city was
the brunt of many attacks by cannon
fire and musketry bullets. 1t Is sig
nificant that IL was here that Gen.
Porfirio Diaz won his first victory in
the revolution, thirty-six years ago
that landed him in the Presidency. The
Diaz name Is still one to conjure with in
this part of Mexico. and 1t Is not sur
prsing that his nephew, Felix Diaz,
should have developed n strong fol-
lowing.
The turning over OF the affairs OF the
Government. both military and civil,
of Afatamoros to Diaz to-day was ac-
conplished without semblance of ex-
citement either in this city or in
Brownsville. In both cities peace and
quiet reigns. The procedure was
simple.
At daylight the garrison. under COM
mand OF Gen. Esteban Ramos, openly
renounced allegiance to President
Madero and declared for Diaz. Evil
IDENTIFY by programme the military at
the same hour took charge Of the city.
81. on E>oAoro1 az
fairs. Those who objected were ar
rested and placed in Jail.
Mayor Casimiro Sada protested. He
was promptly placed in jail and DIR.
Miguel Barragan. his recent opponent
for election to the mayoralty, was
placed in charge OF the city's affairs
The collector OF customs. Jamon Mem
dez and the chief Of police. Rafael Con-
zales, were also arrested and placed in
Jail The customs service was placed
In the hands Of Antonio Eschavareta.
and Rurales were substituted for the
regular force Of inspectors. Manuel
Relna was appointed Chief Of Police
in the place Of the deposed chief. Sada,
Mendez and Gonzales were released later
in the day.
Promptly upon the change this morn
ing. during the early hours, the rebels
took charge Of the city and OF the
International bridge. and neither
Brownsville nor Matamoros people were
permitted to pass from one side to the
other.
The closing Of the bridge was taken
partly as a precaution against inter-
ference by curiosity seekers from this
side, Those in charge also considered
that II would be safer to prohibit traf-
fic than to run the risk Of disturbances
The regiment Of Rurales IL the Tenth
battalion, a crack regiment that for
merly was the pet of ex-President Por-
firio Diaz. This regiment is known to
hav" been favorable to the Diaz Gov
ernment since its inception.
\ manifesto WAS issued by the rebels
in Matamoros to-day and distributed
generally over the city. 1t stated the
reason for the change to rebel control.
saying that it is believed best for the
interests of the country that the change
be made. The manifesto was signed by
Esteban Ramos, the commander OF the
garrison; +. de Alvarez. commander Of
the rursles; Capt. Luis Ceron. Capt.
Manuel Hermosillo. Major Joaquin Tor
res L!nares and Isauro Vallego.
IAe rebels TINS morning opened reg
lister in Matamoros and all who desired
TO signify their allegiance 10 the Diaz
movement were given an opportunity
to sign their names. Those who refused
to sign. it is stated. were placed in ja!l
and will be given an opportunity to think
the matter over. Roberto Garcia. a mail
carrier from Brownsville. was held for a
short time this morning, but was re-
leased at noon.
When the rebels finally had control Of
the city they went before the American
Consul and asked that he inform the
Government OF the United States that
I the state OF Matamoros is in the hands
Of the revolut!onists and that all is
peaceful and quiet in the city. No de-
mand for United States troops for this
section OF the border has been made and
appearances indicate that none Is needed.