New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-12
lBy The Associated Press. ]

Mexico CITY, Feb. lin spite Oh '"c
friendly offer Of Francisco de la Barra'
the former Provisional President, to act
as mediator. and over the protest oil the
American Ambassador and the diplomatic
CONSERVATIVES of the other fOreish
movers. President Madero ordered an at
tack on General Felix Diaz and his forces
to-day.
Tho federal attack on the rebels fortiiied
in and around the arsenal began at IV:lo
o'clock in the morning. and late IN the
afternoon no material advantage had oee''
gained by either side. IL appeared now
ever that the rebels who were holding
slightly improved positions. were conserV-
inc their fire. Many assaults against
them had been repulsed.
Estimates OF the casualties run as hlgh
as one thousand. although accurate IN
formation cannot be obtained al tins
time. The dead certainly will be counter
10y the hundreds.
The government troops approached the
citadel from four directions. Genera
Angeles from the west General tau~
from the north, General Mas from the
south and General Delgado from the
east Toward the end Of the battle they
wore crowded close together. ana from
his position in San Diego street Genera
,auz sent hundreds of solid shot against
rho arsenal. one corner OF which was de-
stroyed.
Ambulances Of the Red and White cross
were early seen whirling away Lrom 'he
federal rear with loads of. wounded
many of whom were citizens, includinS
boys and women of the lower classes
The government was not optimistic re-
rarding the close of the battle. Ernest0
Madero said that the showing made ana
,bo ,omner Of the federals were entirely
satisfactory.
We hardly expect to dislodge DiaZ TO-
day" he said. "since his position Is WEI!
fortified. but we have suficient forces
and elements OF war to succeed and cam
moi tail to do so. General Aureliano
Rlauouet is not here and is not coming
trobablv because he ~ needed 10 con-
trol the Zapatista forces, who might
otherwise improve the opportunity to en-
fer the city. We now have four thousand
men. and more available II necessary
. with plenty of artillery.
deserted the Diaz standard within TWEEN
ty-four hours. going over to the federals'
Madero to Use "Iron Hand
To the offer OF Senior de la Barra 10
mediate. II he considered that course ad-
visabIe. the President replied that he had
no desire TO deal with the rebels except
through shot and shell. The position OF
the rebels he declared TO be fatally weak
.ned By the desertion OF 16O artillerymen.
who to-day operated the guns for the ad-
ministration forces.
Il suppose" commented the President
late this afternoon. that by tomorrow
we viii be ready to make final advance.
In the mean time. more and more troops
a-a coming in from outside the city. We
have now more than the number We con-
slider necessary 10 subdue the rebels
Madero said that he had received tele-
gram from General Banquet. at Ajalspa
thirty miles away, who announced that
he was proceeding to the capital TO prove
his loyalty, which he understood was
doubted.
II protest energetically against these
false Impressions General Banquet
telegraphed.
The most Serious loss sustained among
the federals was the death OF Colonel
Castillo an efficient officer, who was shot
near the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton building while leading a reconnoiter-
ing party.
The result Of the Presidents hasty
"trip by automobile TO Cuernavaca on sun
night. over a road long since practically
abandoned by reason OF the activity OF
the Zapatistas was the addition to the fed
ersl forces of 200 men and seventeen
guns Part Of these forces accompanied
The President hack by the road. while the
others came to the capital by train