The chronicle=news., 1913-02-14

= Mexico City. Mexico. Feb. II.
= The federal government gave I
= general order to cease firing
= NJ twenty minutes past two o. I
= clock. General jose Maria De I
= La Vega. commanding one di-
= vision Of tho Maderista forces.
= says that the government troops
= have been unable to advance. =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Mexico City. Feb. little sixth
day OF fighting In the streets OF
the Mexican capital brought no di-
minution In the fiercencSs OF the
battle. Up to noon NO apprecinblc
gain had been made by either side.
The hundreds OF thousa nds OF ter
Tor stricken Hon-combntnnts have
grown indifferent M to who wins.
but all In the city uttered the state
ment this morning tha one side or
he other might bring TO u termina-
tlon the terrible artillery duel which
has wrecked the city aud caused NO
much loss oi life and misery.
Grim determination WAS expressed
today by both sides. An uitiniatum
from Mudero to the rebels wns greet
ed with n hall Of shells and Diaz lat
cr asserted In An official communica-
tion to tho United States ambaxsa-
dor that he was In control OF the
city. Some declared that Diaz mad
tho advantage OF the position in some
respects but that the federal COM
nsnder had an immense superiority
In numbers and could count on prac-
tically unlimited ammunition and
supplies. Dias Ii also we'll provid.
cd with the ammunition for the
present.
ecivcd more rcinforcements. Fur
thsr bodies Of troops were expected
today. General Blanquet was offiI
cisily reported to- ask permission
from the department OF war to leave
colonel In command Of his force
ut Toluca aud come to the capital
with u portion OF his men.
General Rivera II on the why from
thes tate OF OaAnca with 300 federal
S1;1:srs.
The federal troops were posted
during tho night at points consider
cd rs strategic Importance and Gem
crsl Hucrta declared this morning
that the effort to rush the rebel
lines. which no had promised for
yesterday. would be Forthcoming to-
day.
Long before daylight u steady
stream Of refugees. Tor tho most
part belonging to tho lower classes.
but compromising many OF the better
cle,uents poured out Of the district
in the neishborhood Of tho rebel
lines. Orders had been given to the
government troops not to oppose the
evacuation Of the district by these
non-c0mbutants. Great crowds of
them filled tho streets. staggering
under the weight Of bedding and 9TH
cr personal effects. Sick people were
carried away Oh tho shoulders OF
their relatives. Aged women tot,cr-
cncd relatives much delay In their
panic stricken flight.
Many of these people hud no where
TO 20 and were absolutely destitute.
Most OF them found refuge In
churches.
Tho rebels opened the battle today
at n quarter to six when they started
firing in the direction OF the fcder-
al concentration points. II had been
expected that the federals would at
tack first.
President Madero this morning
scut an ultimatum to Felix Dilz de-
manding his surrender. und the re-
ply came in thes hape of number
Of cannon balls from the insurgents
biggest guns. The first sulvo from
the rebel lines was followed quickly
by u series OF shots In rapid success
sion. Then the machine guns and
rifles began their whIrr and pattcr
the fire being concentrated, where
government troops were gathering
The federal guns did not delay in
making vigorous reply.
BY Z O'Clock the firing had rolled
In a stead fulisade. All around the
arsenal the flash Of field guns and