The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-12

effect on the ranks of the federals. Most
OF the foreigners left the building, but
handful remained.
To counter this position the federa1s
placed men with rifles and other ma
chine guns on roofs of adjoining lofty
buildings one post being u tall structure
known as the Gore office building. while
another building occupied was the cable
office.
Although the rebels were not dlslodged
from the Young Mems Christian associa-
ton building the steel and concrete strue-
ture was perforated by bullets shrapnel
and solid shot. Dozens of other buildings
IN the center of the city showed as early
as noon the marks of battle. While some
OIL those in the immediate zone of fire
We're practically wrecked.
Iha government mobilzed its forces in
the Alameda, the great central square Of
the city, but every approach to the streets
leading to the arsenal was covered by
rebel guns. At every angle field guns
We're stationed, which gave promise of
heayy artillery duel Both sides virtually
We're ready when the firing began, but
1t is almost certain that the first shots
which precipitated the general fighting
were accidental.
A group of persons insisted upon cross
lng a street, and small detachment of
federals fired. A machine gun Joined in
and the battle was on.
Huerta Commands Federals
General Banquet was seen on the fed
eral line, but soon the report was circu-
lated that he had Joined Diaz. General
Huerta, in command of the federals and
General Angeles displayed their loyalty
by forcing the attacks.
"A large contingent of rurals did excel
lent work moving ammunition and par
ticipated in one disastrous charge prior
TO O'Clock
General Huerta had ordered thanking
movement down Bucareli street. the work
OF the rurales being to cover the placing
of battery of guns. The rurales moved
across an intersecting street but before
the guns could be run into position, a
heavy rifle fire swept through their ranks
and they fell back in disorder and the
artillery failed to hold its position.
Up to this time four attempts had been
made to take by assault the position of
the rebels. but the federals were repeat
edly repulsed. General Angeles found it
necessary to shift his position from time
to time, though without material loss.
General Diaz had further fortified his
positions by digging trenches across the
streets, and Notwithstanding the rain of
shrapnel his losses were comparatively
slight.
By early afternoon the rebels had ex-
tended their zone slightly. but this was
more an apparent than genuine ad-
vantage. Before o'clock it was reported
that Diaz had forced forward from the
arsenal detachment eastward along San
Felipe Neri street towards the district
in which the national palace is located.
This movement, however, succeeded in
pressing forward only a short distance.
Practically all the troops under Diaz
were in continuous action whereas the
government had the advantage of re-
serves, from which fresh forces were
sent to the battle line.
About the middle of the afternoon Cen
eral Angeles moved battery of artillery
to the intersection of San Juan de Letran
street and Independence avenue where
it opened a heavy fire on the rebels. This
is one of the central business sections
of the city about half block from the
American club. in which numerous Amer
leans had congregated.