Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-12-30

ARE DESERVING.
Terrible Stories of Suffering Re-
ported in Consequence of Famine in
Northern Sinaloa. = %.

Washington, D. C., Dec. 30.-Con-
frning private rumors, official re-
ports have reached the State Depart
ment of renewed insurgent activity
in Northeastern Mexico with the
announced purpose of clearing out
the Federals from the whole northern
tier of Mexican States. The Consti-
tutionalist forces are reported as
closing in upon Nueva Laredo, but
the understanding is that if the CAM
paign in that quarter is successful it
will be followed Immediately by an
attack in force upon Ojinaga, where
the remnant of the Federal garrison
of Chihuahua has taken its stand.
At Nueva Laredo the Federals
have 1900 men we'll armed with ma
chine guns and entrenched in earth
works and rifle pits. Closing in upon
them is a force Of 5000 insurgents,
5000 under command of General Jesus
Carranza, brother of Governor Ven
ustiano Carranza, the present head
of the Constitutionalst party, and
1000 under the lead of General Con-
zales.
AS there seems no avenue of re-
treat left open for the Federal garrl-
son, they must ether defeat their en-
envy in a frontal attack ot. cross the
line into the American
town of Laredo, to be promptly dis
armed and interned. In the MeXl-
can city of Nueva Laredo are nine
Americans besides Shelby Theriot
Vice Consul, and there are
81 Americans outside the city in this
Consular district.
1t was said at the War Depart
ment, today, that while every effort
would be made by the commander of
the American troops at Laredo to
keep needless spectators away from
the border in the event of actual hos
tilities, the general order to the
American troops still stands to re-
turn promptly any fire of bullets Or
shells from across the line if they are
satisfied that the firing by Mexicans
is intentional.
Belated advices from Durango are
to the effect that the Constitutional
ist forces now occupy Gomez Palaclo
and LareGo Before the abandon
ment of Torleon, the revolutionlsts
are said to have moved large quanti-
ties of provisions, consequently the
food supplies are short. About %
Americans remain in Torreon. About
800 refugees, composed of the worst
element of the population, are said to
have recently entered Durango from
Torreon. Their lodging and feeding
offer a difficult problem and serious
trouble is feared
The American Embassy in the City
of Mexico has been assured by the
Manager Of the Bank of Loncon and
Mexico that the institution Is solvent
al d that on January it will meet all
obligations.
Terrible stories of the sufferings
of the people in northern SlnaIoa
from famine continue to reach the
State Department, and, like the pre-
ceding reports, they have been turned
over to the Red Cross, which vii
extend relief of food supplies into
the difficult mountain country. DR.
Mensendeck, in the little town OF
Aqua Caliente de Baca, reports that
on October 25. owing to the drought
! inhabitants were not only starving
but were without clothing, the we'll
to-do as we'll as the poor, so that the
women and young girls were obliged
to hfce in their shacks absolutel!
naked, and all were sufferir," terribly
from exposure during the cold nights
He predicted even worse conditions a
the expiration OF two months.
--O-