The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-02-14
BATTLE STILL RAGES
IN CITY OF MEXICO
DIAZ CONTINUES TO HOLD HIS POSITION
AGAINST THE FEDERALS.
Rebel Commander Enlarges His Zone of Action and
Sends Forces Against the Naional Palace, But
President Madero Remains Optimistic
General Diaz DisaVows Any Per-
sOnal Am bitiOn.

Mexico City, Feb. 12.-Mexico's
capital was torn asunder again today
by shot and shell. 1t was not until 9
o'clock tonight that the fire in all
quarters ceased. Gen. Felix Diaz, in
command of the rebel forces, fortified
and entrenched in and around the ar
senal, had held his ground against
the federals and had subjected the
city to more terrible bombardment
than that of yesterday.
He had enlarged his zone of ac-
tion and had sent forces against the
national palace.
But tonight Madero was optimis-
tic. Throughout the bombardment
and the almost continuous rattle of
machine guns and rifles, the presi-
dent went about his work in the pal
ace apparently unperturbed. He
took counsel frequently with the fl
From time to time he was in conver.
sation with General Huerta, the COM
handkerchief, rearding plans of at
tack. His courage was great, his
confidence remarkable. Over at the
arsenal General Diaz calmly direct
ed the operations. He characterized
them as solely defensive. He, too
was optimistic.
Large Number of Dead
The number of dead and wounded
cannot even be estimated, but it lis
large. For two hours during the
forenoon the rebel gunners rainsd,
shot and shell at the lofty ,stxurs
lures Of the. ,sitvjsfnos,a tjss. 3 Sk
Which federal sharp pshoc6ers and ma.
chine gun men had attempted to rake
the insurgents in the trenches, and
behind the barricades of the arsenal.
Shells from the heavy guns were
well timed, the explosions throwing
perhaps hundreds of thousands of
bullets into the roofs, effectually
clearing for a time at least, these
buildings of the picked men from the
federal troops.
Some of the rebel shells and not a
few rifle bullets reached the nation
al palace, but none did serious dam
age. 1t is not believed that Diaz Sc
riously contemplates at the present
time an attack on Madero's headquar-
terS.
MaderO Promises Assault.
Madero has promised to make
combined assault on the rebels posi-
tion tomorrow, but the operations of
today indicate that Diaz has much in
reserve. On the first day of the bat
tie it was the government forces that
burned their powder. Today it was
the rebels turn to be aggressive. Diaz
brought forth heavier guns than he
had used before. Two threatening
features of the day were the appear
ance in the outskirts of the city of
Zapatistas, who harrassed the gov
ernment troops and the release from
the Belem Jail of several thousand
prisoners. Some of the latter have
Joined the rebel ranks, but other are
foot free and may turn to looting.
The American ambassador and the
ministers of Great Britain, Germany
and Spain made protests to both Ma
dero and Diaz against the "barbarous
and inhuman warfare" but their pro-
tests have been in vain A brief ar
mistice was arranged for a visit of
the diplomats to the president and to
the rebel commander, but in general
the continuity of the days operations
was interrupted but slightly. The
whirr of the machine guns was sell
dom silent and there was at no time
long interval between cannon
blasts.
Not Personal Ambition.
General Diaz said it was not a.
matter of personal ambition on his
part to overthrow the government
but a desire to voice the sentiments
of the whole nation. If he succeeded,
ne would allow the people to choose
their representatives; he would with
draw to private life.
Referring to the firing, Diaz said
the government had placed its can
non disregarding the fact that many
were in positions in the thckly popu-
lated sections. Most of the damage
done by these guns was from shots
which fell short.
Stories of occasional robbery and
looting by small mobs were reported
during the day., but for the most
part the criminal as well as the Law
abiding element were too terrified b.