New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-02-19
HAVOC Of WAR SEEN
IN MEXICAN CAPITAL
Nearly Every Section OF Mexico
City Has Suffered from
Heavy Artillery Fire.

tBy The Associated PressI
Mexico City, Feb. Il (by Courier 10
Vera Cruz. Feb l8).-Nelther the forces
loyal to President francisco Madero nor
those commanded by the rebcl. REM
DiaZ, had been defeated nj the ciose Oh
.lghting in the centre Of Mexico CITY on
Monday night, nor did either side snow
indica tions of giving way.
The operations OF the day added another
chapter TO the records OF the desolation
and anxiety caused by the constant bonn
bardmcut which had lasted over week
The scene OF the struggle yet remalfeo
in the streets OF the capital, ~hich were
practically deserted by all except tie MIN
tary. the inhabitants having either &C.
parted TO the outer suburbs or TAKEN
refuge in their cellars.
The government maintained in act'o1
throughout the days fght!ng the usual
number Of batteries Of srt!'lery, BAT had
added heavier piece than any IL had
vet used. Late IN the afternoon the fed
eral commander planned 10 place at the
southeastern corner OF the city two biB
guns which had been intended Tor the
fortiAc atoms of Salina cruz. the Paclhc
terminus OF the Tehuantepec Railroad.
In spite OF these heavy pieces benz
brought into action against the rebel po-
s,,ions. Diaz and his followers appear 10
have suffered only slightly Shot FOR SHOT
the rebel artiliery replied. az times siienc-
ing temporarily the governments guns.
Day Of Artillery Fighting.
II was another day OF artillery fighting,
without any decisive results being
achieved, and late In the evening, when
the firing had become more or less casual.
there was no reason 20 believe thnt tues
dav would rot see d continuation or what
had become one Of the most remarkable
battles fought OH the American continent
in recent wears.
Felix Diaz had at the end o. tie dsy
succeeded In holding all his central posi-
tons, and had even steadily advanced hls
lines in a number Of directions. especially
toward he west. BESIDES the heavier
artillery. he brought into action during
the day some small mountaineering POM
poms. whose peculiar roar added mate
rally TO the never-ending noise of iir.ng
Rife balls slipped far out o: the actual
Aone OF fighting into al! quarters OF the
city. one Of them Embedding itself in the
kitchen Of the United States Embassy.
Many shells burst over the central part
of the city. on the line OF fire from the
rebel centre a, the Arsenal toward the
fedora headquarters at the National Pal
ace the destruction OF private and public
buildings was considerably augmented.
Almost all the American residents took
H.. - Ia. svii h.fnt-e -
was broken Ia the middle OF the after
noon TO seek places where they would be
exposed 10 less danger. Most OF them re-
tired TO houses in the vicinity OF the
United States Embaesy. but long befor"
Monday night il became evident that the
safety 10 be found there was more fsnciei
than real.
Tho government however. a. was ap-
parent. was homes. In rs efforts not 20
involve foreigners, and UP 10 late hour
the federal commander had not placed
would draw the fire OF .he rebel artillery
in the direction OF the foreigners
Advance Of Rebel Limos.
Some apprehension was felt by the
refugees On account OF the steady advance
Of the rebel lines. The insurgent outpos,s
had crapled far out 20 the west OF the
city. apparently with the object OF OBJ
tanning position whence they could at
tack from the rank the federal artillery
in the north and west. which had kept
up its pounding OF the rebel positions with
monotonous regularity.
II the rebels succeeded In carrying out
their Ranking movement Il was only
natural that the federal artillery should
fire across at them. which would bring
the embassy district directly into line.
The embassy building was not more than
two blocks distant from the rebel outpost.
General Victoriano Huerta. commander
in chief OF the federal troop. in the capt.
tai. had issued orders TO Colonel Ruble
Navsrrete. his chief OF artillery. under
no circumstances to use hts cannon TO rid
the district of rebel sharpshooters or
small groups, but to reserve their FIRE for
attacking the rebel fortified position or 10
assist an assault lie was actuated in
this BY the desire to spare tho city and
its inhabitants as much danger az pos
sible.
Notwithstanding his orders. which were
compiled with. tho widened field OF oper-
atoms. which by Monday night included
more than half the area Of the city.
caused hundreds Of buildings OF every
character TO become SCARED with the
marks of projectiles which or bursting
also demolished interiors.
How many have been killed or wounded
is question which none can answer with
any eXactitude II IS doubtful whether
even the government records will ever
reveal the correct number.
From source usually considered care
fui and conservative IL is stated that the
number OF dead is not less than 1000,