The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-02-13
Mexican Rebels and Feder-
ais Kept Up Fighting
Last Night
AND TOOK POSITIONS
TO-DAY FOR BATTLE
Sharp Engagement Is Ex-
pected To Take
Place


Place -
Mexico, Feb. l3.-Heavy fighting wa
expected to occur early to-day betwee
the rebels and the federais in the cente
of the city. At 6 o'clock movements 0
the troops were observed from both po
sitions. There was scattering of fir
through the night and a sharp exchang
of cannon shots shortly after / O'Clock
The government forces were strongl,
reinforced during the night and the fed
eral commander said this morning h
had almost 1000 men at his disposal
The rebels aisd their number was onl,
5000. A number of heavy guns, brough
up by the federals before dawn, wer,
posted in readiness for the expected ac
ton. The federal commander declared
he believed he would win the battle de
cisively in short time. He claimed
the advantage of both his position and
the strength of his troops.
The fighting was begun at s o'clock
by the federal battery of artillery, and
a general attack on the rebel positions
was expected to start Immediately. Both
sides had good supplies of ammunition.
Efforts of the foreign ministers to secure
an arrangement of neutral zone were
ineffective to-day.
American Women Killed
The bombardment yesterday was far
heavier than on Tuesday, but the prob
able loss was less because of the lack of
any effort by the federals to force the
assault. The two days fighting, Tues
day and Wednesday, is believed to have
resulted in 300 dead and 500 wounded.
Two American women, Mrs. II. w.
Holmes and Mrs. Percy Griffiths, were
shot to pieces during yesterdays fight
ing.
Mrs Holmes and Mrs. Grifiths were
preparing dinner in their kitchen in an
apartment building close to the arsenal
when shell from the federal lines burst
through the walls, instantly killing Mrs.
Holmes and leaving Mrs. Grifiths in
dying condition.
The British legation was under the
rebel fire for a time but the American
embassy is considered to be in a COM
paratively safe district. On this ac-
count the women and children are being
brought to that section and an Ameri
can guard protects them. During a lull
in the fighting, automobiles flying the
white flag were sent to various quart
ers of the city by the Americans, Ger
mans and British for the purpose of col |
lecting the women and children of all
nationalities and they will be housed in
the buildings around the embassy.
The American ambassador, Henry |
Lane Wilson, the British minister, i. w. |
Stronge, the German minister, Herr Won
Hintze, and the Spanish minister, Senior
Cologan Cologan, called at the national !
before noon yesterday. After a brief |
conference with President Madero they
had little difficulty in gaining his prom
ise to suspend op~ations, if General
Diaz would do likewise, until the diplo
nldlS VI iIlelI representative cQulu cOnleT
with the rebel commander.
ID. L. Hamer was chosen to carry the
message of protest to Diaz. He entered
an automobile, which with white flag
flying, moved through the federal lines.
1t was supposed that the troops had
been advised of this mission, but the
was instantly made the tar
get for numerous rifles, and bullets rat
lied about it. 1t continued on its way,
however, the diplomatic envoy apparent
v being unhurt.
Stories of occasional robbery and loot
ng by small mobs were reported during
he day, but for the most part the crimi-
lal as well as the law abiding element
we're too terrified by the incidents of the
asst two days to do anything but seek
,laces of safety. Business houses, banks
md restaurants are closed, and not even
railway ticket is to be bought in the
Uptown offices. ,
The offices of the cable company have ,
,een kept open throughout the fighting.
lnce when a shell tore gaping hole in
he iron shutters over the windows. the
orce of Mexican operators continued l
heir work without interruption.
The residents of Gore Court evacuated
My after two shells had bounded their
say into the big apartment house. Doz-
ms of buildings show great jagged holes ,
lille hundreds show more insignificant
marks OF what has been the most ter
ible bombardment any city in North
lmerica has been subjected to since the
doption OF modern high power cannon. 4
In some streets the overhead wires :
angle from posts. In Alameda. the z
reat wooded park in the center OF the +
ity. the trees we're moved down bv the !,
.cious fire; small twigs aud limbs cover !,
he ground in places. evidence of the !,
eaviness OF the small arm FIRE. n
Among the buildings damaged was :,
rat OF the Mutual Life Insurance COM Il
any. in the side OF which a great hole -
As torn. Over the building during the
attic the British and American flags p
ere flying. Most OF the buildings suf- 1,
ring the greatest damage are owned n
' Mexicans in many OF which. however. Il
mericans and other foreigners have Of
res.
Considerable damage was done to the
ational theatre. now under consfr1c-
on. II Vas at this point that the reb- r
: dismountei a federal cannon. An Ia
her. Eve squares below. was also dis M
ounted, while others to the northwest Vi