The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-11
Rebels Are Hammering Away
1T the Port City.
They Appear to Be Having Bet
ter of the Fight.
PROGRESS OF THE BATTLE
Is Described in Dispatches
From Admiral Fletcher.
The Federals Are Preparing to
Defend Ojinaga.

Defend Ojinaga.
Hamburg, Dec. 11.-Captain Rant
xap of the Hamburg American liner.
Kronz Prinzessin Cecilie. cabled to the
head Office of the company here today
that his vessel was taking refugees
on board at the Mexican seaport of
Tampico. whore fighting between the
rebels and the federals has begun.
For Defense Of OJinaga-
Presidio. Texas, Dec. 1.-THE TAX
ing of civilian refugees across the riv-
er into United States territory and
building Of defenses in anticipation OF
a rebel attack at Ojinaga today pro-
ceeded actively in the Mexican village
opposite Preside, where the bulk of
the Huerta government troops in the
north have concentrated. That the
next move will be forced by the rebels
is conceded, for General Salvador
Mercado, commander of the federals,
has taken a waiting position. mean
time reprovisioning his troops. while
the rebel forces under General Her
rera are moving toward the city as
rapidly as possible.
1t Is the rebels plan to precipitate
crisis without allowing delay wnicn
would be of immense advantage to the
federals in their efforts to rest ana
feed their exhausted soldiers. Time
means q more elaborate system or par
ricades and forts for the federals. wa
gon loads Of provisions are being
brought from Maria, Texas. the near
est railroad station to the border.
Luis Terraxa, who owns millions OF
acres of Mexican land and is one OF
the richest men IN the republic, crossed
the river with his family and went to
Marfa. He practically had been held
a prisoner at Chihuahua and it was
not until the whole federal army ac-
companied him that he was able to
leave the country where his life had
been threatened by the rebels. 1t IL
said that Terraza's cattle served to feed
both federals and rebels In this and the
Madero revolutions ssSenor Terraza
was met by delegation from Okiaho-
ma City. Ok. where he was invited to
make his future home.
Progress of the Fight.
Vera Cruz, Dec. 11.-Fighting between
the rebels and federa1s for possession of
the city of Tampico was in progress
all day yesterday and last night. ac-
cording to reports received here today
from Rear Admiral Fletcher. COM
mander Of the American warships on
that p9t. A dispatch filed at IL
o'clock last night and received here
today said that the federal outposts
had been driven in and that insurgents
had taken possession Of the left bank
of the river from its mouth to Tampico.
No foreigners have been injured, the
admiral says. Nor has any property
been destroyed.
A number Of refugees were taken on
board the United States scout cruiser
Chester and the cruiser Tampico. 9th
er refugees were in buildings near the
water front. Another dispatch from
I4a ,,v~v
General Castro attacked Tampico
this morning. Reports indicate that the
rebel band is pushing back the federal
advance guard. l am taking all pos
sible measures to protect and care for
Americans and other foreigners except
British and German subjects, who are
being looked after by their own repre-
sentatives.
"The rebels are reported to be re-
specting Americans and American
property"
Under date of noon on Wednesday
Admiral Fletcher telegraphed:
THE federal forces at Tampico have
been reinforced and now number 1000
men. The Tampico and Chester are in
the river with $50 marines from the
American battleships aboard. The
place Of safety for Americans and other
foreigners has been assigned under the
guns Of the warships.
1.-THE steamer Logician, which has
been chartered by the British admiral
and manned by a crew from the Brit
ish cruiser Suffolk. has all the British
residents of the town on board. All
the Germans are aboard the steamer
Kron Printzessin Cecilte.
II have warned the leaders of both
sides that fighting Will not be allowed
near the neutral territory assigned to
non-combatants.n nor near valuable for
eign property. No steamer is available
for American refugees.
Fighting continues in the suburbs.
have hoisted my flag on the Tacoma
Federals Forced Back.
Mexico City, Dec. 11.-Unofficial
advices received here state that heavy
fighting occurred at Tampico last
night. The rebels at one time forced
the federal troops back into the heart
of the city. The rebels are said to be
in possession of the suburb Of Dona
Cecilia, located between Tampico and
the coast and containing many oil
tanks and a refinery, and also Of Arbol
Grande, a suburb.
The federal war department ad-
vices. however, continue to indicate
the government troops are successful
1y resisting the rebel attack. 1t is an
nounced at the war office that the fed
eral officers In command of the gar
rison are to be promoted for gallantry
No Compromise.
Hermosillo. Dec. 10.-via Nogales
Dec. u.-'No compromised was Gen.
eral Carranxa's declaration today re.
garding the proposals Of an armistic<
in Mexico for the holding Of election al
urged by an element in Mexico City
Advisors Of the constitutionalist Leader
consider the plan impossible under ex.
isting considerations.
Taking on Refugees.
Washington, Dec. u.-Ohicial report,