The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-12-30
Fighting Is Resumed at Oil naga, When Trenches
 Are Attacked
U. $. TROOPS WATCH
 FOR DESERTERS
Situation Is Believed Criti- cal Because of Possible
 Escape Into Texas

Presidio. Tex, Dec. 3O-Ffghting between Mexican federals and cOnstI- tI.tionaIists at -Ojinaga, Mex, was re- sEnnled this morning. The rebels ad- vanced upon the federal trencnes where the remnant of Huerta'S army in northern Mexico had taken refuge after its disastrous defeat of last night
 Presidio, Tex, Dec. 3O-Dazed and demoralized by their disheartening encounter with the rebel forces, II Mexican federal generals and the remnant of their army that had es- caped defeat croucfT8d today in the trenches at Ojinaga, Tex, uncertain whether they should offer resistance to, another attack or scatter in dis order.
 Meanwhile, United States troops on this side of the river were scouting the border for any federals who might Ghave crossed during the night and to check any general rush across the river, as seemed imminent last night when, during panic in the garrison at Ojinaga, about 500 fed erals leaped into the river.
 The situation was regarded as crit teal both because it appeared to hold the fate of the federal army and be- cause it threatened a general rush across the river of all the federal troops should the rebels close in.
 Within the confines or the Village were all that remained of the north. ern division of Huerta's army. About them on the hills are the advance guard of General Ortego's rebel army and still further back are the rest of the rebels. All are moving under instructions from General Villa to ez- terminate the enemy if possible z
 After last nights rout in which they were so completely disorgan1zed that many crossed to the American hv 1oiT officers on the Mexican side, the fed erals apparently were in no position to maintain fighting front
 Upon tn, ability of the generals to rally their soldiers will depend wheth- CT the Huerta army is to keep or lose it's last remaining foothOld in the northern part of Mexico.
 The results of the first attack by rebels as summed. early today was, 4.20O rebels who had been advanc- ing for more than a week from Chi huahua City had reached La Mula Pass, a canyon leading from the in terior to Ojinaga- At the pass, about IS miles from Otinaga, they opened fire and defeated the federal out posts.
 The federaIs hemmed in at Ojinaga had been in discord owing to the withholding of their pay and to guar rels between the regulars and the volunteers. The news of the rebel approach had caused increasing anxiety but when the firing was heard 1t caused absolute terror. About 500 Gederals carrying their guns jumped into the ariver to seek safety on the American side Of this number at least 400 were driven. back before they got out of the water. Another 100 were captured by Major Me Nance the commanding officer. These were disarmed, marched up to the town of Presidio, and then fore ed back to the Mexican side.
 A few of those who had been wounded were taken in charge by Dr. Burnside, army surgeon. They re- ported that some of the rebels had 1icers came across so far was known
 The greatest confusion z, reigned among the federals who were still kept within the Qualifications and trenches of Ojinaga- The men flat Iy refused to fight and the whole gar- rison was simply a mob. Every man for himself' was the attitude of mind But the generals stood firm. endeavoring to present a gallant front Generals Salazar and Orozco, com manders of volunteers, are said to have drawn their revo1vers and threatened to shoot every soldier who refused to obey.
 The federaIs appeared to have scattered at the first fire for. the fighting which preceded the disorder at OJfnaga had not been much more than series of skirmishes
 Among the eleven generals at O5tnaga are some who have played important parts in the current history of Mexico They include Salvador Mercado. former governor of ChiF1la- hua state; Francisco Castro, who was defeated when the rebels last took Juarez5 Jose ManciI1o, and Manuel Landa, all of whom command reg u1ar forces.
 The 4,0o0 federaIs are about eouaI- 1y divided between regulars and vol untteers- Among the volunteer com zuanders are Pascuale Orozco. who fought in the Mexican revolution and then revolted against Madero: Ynez Salazar, who was imprisoned by Ma dero for molesting the Mormon colo nies in northern Mexico; and Mar colo Caravo, who, in spite of his be ing with the federals, is said to be held in great respect by the rebels.
 General Ortega, the rebel comman- der. is supported by PanfiIo Natora. of Zacatcas.
 As the situation stood today. the federals have these alternatives: To fight 1t out in Ojinaga; to retreat to the state of CoahufIla or to atten1pt to cross to the United States.
 A federal general before the rebe1s arrived declared: we will stay here until the last man drops"
 Washington. Dec. 3O.-War depart