The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-02-17

MEXICO CITY. Feb. 1s.-The
truce between President Madero and
General Diaz ended at 2 o'clock this
afternoon by mutual consent AT
nightfali machine guns on the roof OF
the arsenal were sweeping San Juan
plaza, south of the Alameda where
the federal troops had taken posi-
ton for renewal of the assaults on
the rebel fortress.
There was very little heavy gun
firing but General Huerta had placed
maxims on the roofs on the taIIest
building in the neighborhood of San
Juan market and was attempting to
get into closer range of the arsenal
In the late afternoon there were
sorties from the arsenal and FeIistas
and Maderatista fought with the
hayonet. In the narrow streets be-
tween the market and the citadel @
Hand-to- Hand Fighting.
The hand-to-hand fighting was
furious on the west side OF the plaza
de San Juan and near the large fac
tory OF the Buen Tono Cigarette com
pany. The ancient church OF San
Jose de Los Naturales was subjected
to the incessant volieys from the rebel
machine guns and was damaged
There has been considerable loss of
life. but 1t has been impossible to
get estimates from federais or rebels
as to the casualties.
The American residents are safer
today than at any time since the re-
volt began. Although Madero and
Diaz agreed early this morning upon
a twenty-four-hour armistice, they
broke the trace after twelve hours
This gave sufficient time, however. for
the American ambassador TO reHnov@
hundreds of his countrymen from the
center of the city to the CoIonia
Roma and the Colona Juarez Near
the American ambassador In the
Colonia Roma the Americans now
have an improvised city of their own.
They have established an American
bank, cable office. police force.
hssnitah Ssraice. AID. a@sxs ,ss fire rdS~ss
partmFrs, Captain Surmsftss. tsre sx1fff-sS
tary attache OF the embassy COM
mands a volunteer guard OF 500 men
who are armed with rifles and res
volvers. This guard is policing the
district.
Take Advantage OF srTnistice.
The tweive-hour armistice per-
mitted many thousands of Mexicans
as we'll as the foreign residents to
secure supplies of food, bedding, and
other necessaries from the center OF
the city In the truce. Americans
in automobiles which few white
flags drove through the streets gath
behind in the alarms OF the past few
days. The automobiles were piled
high with bedding and furnitnrc
Some Americans took their families
to country towns near the capital. not
having been able to find quarters att q
the embassy or elsewhere in this
Colonial Roma, @
There was perfect tranquility for
twelve hours. The situation as to the
presidents resignation was unchanged
this evening. Madero repeated To hia
advisers his declaration that he would
conquer Diax or die, and he assured
his iriteryiewers that mis- cause WAS
gaining, and that he would be ahtN
TO put down the REVOLT soon, Az mat
ters stand. however. Diax Is more
strongly located than at any time dHr~Ss
ing the week He in receiving MI
most hourly prnfYers Of asaistaucA
from nautinious federal troops In the
provinces. N xs
Diplomats Hopeful: Madero Scormsz1s
The diplomatic corps have net lnak
hope of bringing about peace, but
the difficulties are admittedly ennx~ Il
nous Dia1 insists that he Will mot
cease firing on the palace HMtti Ma
dero and the government resign 80