Meade County news. [volume] (Meade, Kan.) 1900-1918, 1913-02-20
Artillery Fire Sweeps the Streets Of
Mexican Capital.
HUNDREDS KILLED OR WOUNDED
Three Americans Injured by Stray
BuIiets-Engagement Lasted Seven
Hours Without Advantage to
Either Side.

city during the day. When darkness
put an end to the fighting neither
side appeared to have gained any
marked advantage. Estimates of the
casualties run as high as one thou
sand, although accurate information
cannot be obtained at this time. The
dead certainly will be counted by the
hundreds.
Three Americans Wounded.
Foreign residents, for the most part,
kept under cover, but three Americans
are known to have 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, Ill.
Artillery played the chief part in the
days fighting, but rifle fire was kept
mp continuously, though more or less
ineffectively. President Madero and
his ministers expressed satisfaction
with the days work and ventured the
opinion that another day would see
the overpowering of the enemy.
Diaz Still Defiant.
Gen. Felix Diaz in his arsenal strong
hold appeared as defiant as at any
time since he was released from
prison by the mutinous soldiers, and
promises repetition of the terrific
bombardment, the fierceness Of which
is attested by the many partly de-
stroyed structures within a radius OF
half mile.
The greatest loss of life resulted in
"a charge of rurales, who with a dar-
ing amounting to foolhardiness, moved
against rebel battery, which moved
down men and horses almost to eX-
tinction.
Madero Will Fight On.
The loss of life in the prolonged en-
gagement of the day was sufficient
in the belief of Senior De La Barra
and the diplomatic representatives 70
warrant further attempt to prevent
another battle within the city.
Senior De La Barra sent message
to President Madero saying:
''In the name of humanity and as
Mexican, who is free of all political
and revolutionary parties, | wish to
offer my services in any way possible
to effect peace without further blood
she'd"
Madero replied, thanking him, but
declaring that no terms other than
an unconditional surrender could be
made
Diaz Saved His Fire.
Early in the action General Diaz
saw to 1t that his men held their fire
until the quantity Of ammunition both
for the big and the light arms used
by the federals was far greater than
by the rebels.
The cannon of the federals were
eventually silenced by the rebels, but
the extent of the damage to the rebel
artillery is not known outside their
own lines.
United States Consulate Injured.
The streets on which the fighting
occurred present a dilapidated APP
pearance. One of the buildings which
suffered most is that in which the
American consulate-general was To-
Gated and from which the, consul and
his staff were forced to flee.
Ambulances of the Red and White
Cross early were seen whirling away
from the federal rear with loads of
wounded, many Of whom were citi.
zens, including boys and women Of
the lower classes.
Warnings From the Embassies.
Almost within stones throw of
each other these two fighting forces,
each armed with more than twenty
cannon, are tearing at each others
threats and they expect to continue
the struggle regardless of the Incl
dental loss of life.
The diplomats by telephone notified
their nationals, when fighting appear.
ed inevitable, to take care of them
selves in the best way possible. Ma
dero had refused or had neglected to
answer the note in which he was
asked il he would be able to give
protection to the foreign residents and
Diaz, in replying to similar request,
had frankly acknowledged his inabil.
ity to do so.
The United States Ready.
Washington, Feb. 12.-President
Taft hastily summoned the heads of
the army and navy to the White House
early in the morning. Three addition
al United States war vessels we're or.
dered to Vera Cruz. Two transports
will be held in readiness to load
troops at Newport News should occa-
sion require.
Washington, Feb 12.-Major Gen.
eral Wood remained at his desk at
the War Department until nearly day.
light working out details for the
quick movement OF troops should the
occasion arise. These troops prob.
ably will be modified at Galveston.
Tex, being prepared to embark as