The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1913-02-14
TERRIBLE FIRE WRECKS CITY
No Diminution in fierceness of
the Battle Today
PEOPLE PRAY FOR PEACE

Mexico City. Feb. 1.-THE sixth day
OF fighting on the streets of the Mexi-
can capital brought no diminution in
the fierceness Of the battle. Up To
noon there was no appreciable gain on
either size The hundreds of thou
sands of terror stricken non combat
ants have grown Indifferent as TO who
wins, but all uttered a prayer this
morning that one side or the other
might bring to a termination the ter
rible artillery duel, which has wrecked
the city and caused so much loss Of
life and misery
Grim determination was expressed
today on both sides. Madero received
achievements last night and NOR
We're expected today. II was reported
this afternoon that the government
was preparing to raZe with dynamite
four solid blocks, mostly residences,
just east of the rebel positions between
the arsenal and national palace to OBJ
tain better sweep for the federal
artillery.
Disz viii Not Surrender.
The battle was opened by the rebels
at a quarter TO 8 and by Z o'clock the
firing had rolled into fusilade Presi
dent Madero this morning sent an
other ultimatum TO Felix Diaz. de-
manding his surrender The reply was
a number of cannon balls from the in
surgents' biggest guns.
Diaz told the government his fol- |
lowers preferred to die at their post |
rather than surrender. They will not |
ask clemency.
A constant stream of refugees. most |
OF them Mexican citizens, were OBJ !
served carrying bundles and scurrying |
toward the suburbs from the densely |
populated district between the arsenal !
and the national palace as soon as the |
firing became intense.
In many churches special services |
were held by the clergy for the resto-
ration of peace. Thousands of refugees |
knelt in an old edfice and Joined in |
prayers.
Diaz Asks Recognition.
Many shells from the rebel guns fell
around the cable office, the Americas
club and other buildings in the vicini-
ty. Others reached the national pal
ace. Two federal batteries of five guns
each, stationed near the British lega
tin, poured a stream of shells into the
arsenal
DiaZ this morning asked recognition
as a belligerent by the United States
government in an informal note to am
bassador Wilson, stating he was in
complete control of the city.
To the demand of Diaz, Wilson re-
Piled promptly, explaining to the rebel
leader he was not able to see the sit
uation as DiaZ described It, He added
that he was assured by Madero that
the government remained in control.
\ convent. five blocks beyond the
national palace. was wrecked by shells
from the rebel guns and number of
inmates killed.
Even when they have an opportuni-
ty the foreigners are determined 10
remain and watch the fighting.
Many Want Intervention.
Intervention is being frankly dis
cussed by Mexicans and foreigners,
ard frequently a Mexican citizen ex-
presses the opinion publicly that the
United states or some other power or
powers jointly should intervene.
Mexican women of the better class
make no secret of their desire for in
terven.ion In formal statement
they said:
1--WE are praying for the end of our
countrys troubles, even through in
tervention"
Conditions generally in the capital
are steadily growing worse All busi
ness and public service except that
connected with the war has ceased.
Even the postoffice has closed and
many Of it's employees are carrying ri
fles in the ranks of the federal army.
The city was in almost total darkness
throughout the night, owing to the cut
ting of electric cables by flying shells.
Provisions of all kinds have scared 20
unheard of prices. Robberies and bur
glaries are on the increase. The dis
position of garbage has become a serl-
Gus problem. and cacasses of hun
6reds of horses killed in the streets
in the past week are still in the gut
ters.
The federals were repulsed with a |
heavy loss in last nights fighting /
when they attempted to rush the ar
senal.
Another woman. a Mrs. Greenfield, n !
Canadian, was killed yesterday.