Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-13
FEAR MERCADO'S
ARMY IS TRAPPED
Federal Forces at 0ilnaga
Worried Over Gen.
erals Fate.
PREPARE TO REPEL
ATTACKS OF REBELS
Huerta Troops Have Strong Posi-
tion-Now Hold Tuxpam
Oil District.

OJlNAGA, Mexico, December l3-
Perched on the hill OF oiinaga, which
commands sweeping view of the nearby
desert and canyons. the federal army to-
day had its guns trained In expectation
of an attack by the four or five thousand
rebels who are rapidly surrounding the
town.
The federal forces Were at a loss todar
to know What had become Of Cen sal
vador Mercado. the ranking officer or
the Mexican army in the north.
II was feared that he with 1000 fed
erals had been intercepted by rebels in a
mountain pass at La Mula. outside oc
OJnaga, and that he would be attacked
by superior forces before the rebels at
tack Ojinaga. Mercado left the fort here
TO escort in some struggling refugees.
Hold Strong Position.
The commanding position OF the fed
erals, with trenches and forts fixed for
resistance, will make it impossible for
the rebels 10 storm the place without
heavy loss of life. The rebels will have
TO climb almost straight up to the town,
and be constantly exposed to FIRE ex-
cept for a slight shelter afforded by
mesquite bushes.
The 1900 federals garrisoned here
after their retreat from Chihuahua
nave resigned themselves TO the attack,
and the rebels under Gen. Herrera
have announced their intention Of at
tackins' from three sides to force sur
render or to drive the enemy across
the river into the United States.
Four more troops of United States
cavalry reinforced the border patrol at
Preside today. The American military
authorities have notified both sides that
no shots must be fired across the river.
Gen. Mas Advances.
MEXICO CITY. December i3-Gen.
Mas, on his way TO Tampico, has ad-
vanced with his colu mnas far as Juan
Carinio to the north of Tabihua. lie has
not thus far encountered any opposition
and it is assumed that all the rebol forces
have gone to assist in the attack on Tam
pico.
The oil district of Tuxpsm. which for
nearly a month has been controlled by
the rebels under Gen. Candido AguilaT.
Is now in the hands Of the federal
troops commanded by Gen. Joaquin
Mas, jr. according to reports received
today by the war Office.
All Employees Safe.
NEW YORK, December 13.-The 80 or
100 employees, mostly American, of the
Aguila Company. Pearson concern. at
hurt in the fighting between the federals
and constitutionalists. This was an
nounced here today by the Anglo Mexican
Petroleum Products Company, which had
received the following cablegram from its
agent at Vera Cruz:
DR. G. w. Hayes, first vice president
of the Aguila Company. informs by wire
less from Tampico: All Aguila employees
safe. Please reassure relatives
Monterey Attack Near.
VERA CRUZ, Mexico December ID
There is every indication that the city or
Monterey may be attacked by the rebels
at any moment. according TO a dispatch
from Philip c. Hanna the American con-
sui general there.
The telegram was filed this morning bg
way of Tampico. and was sent from THAI
seaport to Vera Cruz by wireless 4 con-
siderable federal army is believed To be-
concentrated at Monterey