The Washington herald., 1913-02-24

Gated in the penitentiary. There is es-
pecial significance to this. considering
what happened later. and in view Of
the Official explanations which have
been given out.
Guarded by R0rales.
Shortly after midnight on Saturday
the two prisoners were placed In an
automobile, which was accompanied
by another car. and escorted by 100
rurales. under the orders Of Comman-
dant Francisco Cardenas and Col. Ra-
fael Pimiento.
1t WAS beautiful moonlit night and
not the kind of night. II may be
pointed out, that would be selected for
rescue expedition which would re-
quire darkness for its successful ac-
conplishment Orders were given to
the men in charge OF the automobiles
TO move slowly SO as not to outdistance
the escort.
Prisoners Ordered from Car.
The party moved along slowly and
cautiously. No incident occurred. it is
explained, until the party reached Il
point near the penitentiary. Here there
is an open srace. and according to the
official version the attcntiOn OF the
guard was attracted to a group of per-
sons who Were following the party.
What then happened is known only to
the men who were acting under in
structiols from the Diaz-IIuerta junta.
1t is declared that shots were fired upon
the escort from the cover OF the dark
ness. The ruraIes closed in and strange
ly enough. instead Of ordering the cars
to make full speed TO the penitentiary.
which was now but a short distance
away. they ordered the prisoners out of
the car.
Fugitive Law" Operates.
II is probable that ii was at this stage
that the doctrine of 'le fuga' was put
into operation. The prisoners were or
dered from the car to give them the op-
to take fight ard be shot down.
Thirty of the guards. II is declared sur
tho prisoners. while the remain
der dispersed themselves to resist an at
tack. About hfty men, stilI quoting the
official version. some afodt and some
mounted. threw themselves upon the de-
tarhment guarding the cars. and the ex-
change of shots lasted twenty minutes,
when the attacking party fled.
Then the dead bodies of Madero and
Suarez were found, stretched out upon
the ground. Madero with a single bullet
boie through his brain. Suarez riddled
with the shots Of his countrymen.
story Clothed In silence.
There is a statement that two of the
attacking mob were killed. But no one
Ias seen their bodies. il this he true.
The rest of the story is covered I'D in
silence. so far as the official version
goes. But within few minutes after
tn" report of the killing of the two
non became public representatives of
foreign governments at once began be-
sieging the cable offices to flash the news
la their governments. The tiding of the
tragedy swept over the city like fire
IN a prairie.
Huerta at once took Steps to put down |
any uprising that might follow public |
OF the deed. Troops OF SOL |
iiers were spread out over the city. |
patrolling every street in the business |
section and extending their lines even !
INTO the residential quarter
Newspap~rs Are Notified.
Iiuerta sent for the newspaper cor
espOndents at once. and through Lieut.. |
'ol. Mas. and in the presence of Gen. |
3lanquet and other officials. made pub
ic the official version OF the killing |
This ceremony was gone through with
n the green room. Huerta. pacing up
md down. enveloped in a. great mill
airy cloak, his eyes covered by green
classes. Now and then he gave a curt
rider to an aid. or exchanged a word
With Gen. Banquet. who sat stolid with
older arms. while the official report
vas read.
Intense silence pcryaded the palace, but
Trough the windows there came a sur
ressed murlnur OF voices down in the
treet
SO promptly did the Huerta administra-
ion act. that there was little movement