Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-02-13
Madero Predicts Fall of
Rebel Forces Before
End of Day.
LATTER SHORT OF MEN
Army and Navy Hold a Con-
ference to Be Prepared for
Any Emergency.

Mexico City, Feb. 13.-Another
fierce street battle, which was expect
ed 10 be decisive began between the
federals and rebels at this morning.
The government forces had the ad-
vantage, their army totalling 1000
against 5000 rebels.
General Huerta and President Ma
dero said they would be badly dlsap-
pointed and surprised II Diaz' mutt
nous army was not reduced TO submIs-
sion before nishtfalI.
The battle was opened by heavy
firing by federal artillery. The rebels
occupied the same positions they held
yesterday around the arsenal and Y.
M. c. A. building, from where they
replied with a hot fire. The popula-
ton had either deserted the city or
remained hidden In houses.
Two non-eombatants were killed In
front Of the American club today by
bursting shells.
AMERICAN CLUB PEPPERED.
Between Q and 10 this morning
fharpnel rained on the walls and shut
ters Of the cable office. but the oper-
ators remained at their stations. A
solid shot from a field gun entered
the Jardin hotei.
Several shells pierced the library
Of the American club. No one was
Injured. but the building was peppered
with bullets.
Early this afternoon the rebels
turned long range guns In the direc
ton OF the national palace. Many
shells were thrown clear across the
city and struck the building. but there
was little serious damage.
WIRES I,NMoIEsTED.
Ambassador Wilson prevented the
issue OF an order cutting of all tele
phone communication this morning
lie protested 70 Madero that the reb
els we're not connected with the sys
tenn and the order would cause un
necessary hardship.
Struggling federals who arrived al
the American embassy at noon declar
ed a detachment OF government troops
was shot TO pieces in the western edge
Of the city early today. This indicate,
Diaz has a force outside the lines o
tho central district
REBELS SHOW GAMENESs.
Fighting was begun at s o'clock this
morning by a federal battery Of artil
lery A general attack on rebel posi-
lions was expected Immediately. ]
was difficult TO see how the rebel
could long resist the fire poured Il
by the federals, but they showed som
excellent Workmanship and offere,
Erim resistance.
HEAVY FIGHTING EXPECTED.
Mexico City. Feb. 13.-Heavy fight
ing was expected early today. At
o'clock movements of troops were OF
served in both the rebel and fedora
positions. There was scattering fir
throughout the night.
The government commander said +,
Inducements had brought his army I
1000 and that the rebels had onl
5000. A number of heavy gun
brought up by the federals befor
dawn were posted in readiness for az
tion. The federal commander declai
I'd be would win the battle decisivel
in short time.
THREE AMERICANS SHOT.
Americans again yesterday suffere
from stray bullets and shells durin
the all day battle. Mrs. II. w. Holme
wife OF an employe of Dun's agenc
was killed. Mrs. Percy Griffiths, VII
oi an employe OF the street railwa
company. and Allie Bland, a printe
were wounded.
Mrs Holmes and Mrs. Griftiths wei
preparing dinner in their kitchen in a
apartment building close to the arsen
when a shell from the federal line
burst through the walls, instantly XII
ing Mrs. Holmes and leaving Mrs. Grt
fiths in a dying condition. Both
her legs were shot of.
Bland was walking along lndepe
dencia avenue when he was struck
rife ball, apparently from the fe
eral lines.
The Americans wounded in Tue
DAYS action are improving.
ARE WITHOUT FUNDS.
Laredo. Texas. Feb. ia passe
much apprehension upon the effect
least a thousand Americans are wit
out funds TO leave the capital. even
The opportunity presented. becapse {
banks had been closed since Saturda
a large number OF Americans were
the railroad station, he said, eager