Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1913-02-21
bA1TLEj RACES IN THE VERY
HEART or THE MEXICAN
CAPITAL
REBEL AND FEDERAL ARMIES
are Even-T1N Calls Special
coaf0roNee 70 Coz
otooP.

Washington, Feb. 12.-As q result Of
IN early morning conference at tho
White House, three additional battle
ships we're sent 10 the east coast Of
Mexico and orders will be issued for
the immediate placing in commission
Of two army transports for the trans
portation of troops to Mexico City for
the protection of the lives of Ameri-
cans and foreigners should the situar
ton there grow worse.
TAFT Calls Conference.
President Taft shortly after mid
night summoned Secretary of State
Knox, Secretary Of War Stimson and
Secretary of the Navy Meyer, together
with a number Of army and navy Of
ficers. At 1880 o'clock this morning
the conference was begun.
The officers in the conference were
Major General Wood, chief of staff Of
the army; Brigadier General Crozier,
president of the war college; Brigadier
General James B. Aleschire, chief Of
the quartermaster's corps of the army.
Mexico City.-The federals and reb-
els fought a seven hour drawn battle
in the heart of the city Tuesday. When
darkness put an end to the fighting
neither side appeared to have gained
any marked advantage.
Estimates Of Casualties.
Foreign residents for the most part
kept under cover, but three Americans
suffered injuries from stray bullets.
They are Lloyd Osbourne, the author,
who was shot in the thigh; DR.. r. H.
McCrosson, of Lincoln, Neb., and Mark
Johnson, a negro of Madison, III.
Artillery played the chief part in the
days fighting, but rife fire was kept
up continuously, though more or less
in efficiency. President Madero and
his ministers expressed satisfaction
with the days work and ventured the
opinion that today would see the over
powering Of the enemy. .... ....-
Gen. Felix Diaz, in his arsenal
stronghold, appeared as defiant as at
any time since he was released from
prison by the mutinous soldiers and
promises a repetition of the terrific
bombardment, the ierceness of which
is attested by the many partially de-
stroyed structures within q radius Of
half mile. "a 4s.... ta
Men and Horses Moved.
The greatest loss of life resulted in
the charge of rurales who with dar.
Ing amounting to foolishness, moved
against a rebel battery which moved
down men and horsss almost to extinc-
ton.
The execution done in the prolonged
engagement was sufficient in the be-
lief of Senior de la Barra and the d.
plomatic representatives to warrant a
further attempt to prevent another
battle within the city.
Senior de la Barra sent message
to President Madero saying:
I'm the name of humanity and as a
Mexican who is free of all political
and revolutionary parties, I wish to Of.
fer my services in any way possible to
effect peace without further blood.
she'd" v...
Madero replied, thanking him, but
declaring that no terms other than an
unconditional surrender could be
made with Diaz.
That the president is determined to
make this finish fight is evident,
though no more SO than Diaz who real.
ICES that there will be NO clemency in
case of surrender.
Almost within stones throw of each
other these two fighting forces. each
armed with more than 20 cannon, are
tearing at each others throat and they
expect to continue the struggle regard
less of the incidental loss Of life.