Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-15
An Ultimatum by Madero
Answered by Diaz's Larg-
est Cannon and Fusillade
Follows From Arsenal.
ASKS RECOGNITION
AS A BELLIGERENT
Rebel Leader Sends Request
to Wilson Claiming Con-
troll Of City; Citizens Talk
of Intervention.

mexico City, FeD, l4.-In0 SlXtn OAy
OF fighting in the streets Of the Mexi-
can capital brought no diminution IN
the flerceness of the battle. Up to
noon no appreciable gain had been
made by either side.
The hundreds Of thousands of terror
stricken non-combatants have grown
Indifferent as to who wins, but al In
the city uttered prayer that one side
or the other might bring to termina-
tion the terrible artillery duel which
has wrecked the city and caused 20
much loss OF life and misery.
Grim determination was expressed
by both sides today An ultimAtum
from Madero to the rebels was greeted
with hail of shells and Diaz later
asserted in an Official communication
to the United States ambassador thar
he was in control OF the city.
Expert observers declared that Diaz
had the advantage Of position In some
respects but that the federal govern
ment commander had an immense
superiority in numbers and could
count on practically unlimited ammupi-
tion and supplies. Diaz ID also weil
provided with ammunition for the
present. Il
President Madero last night received
more reinfOrcements. Further bodies
of troops were expected today. Cen
eral Blanquet was officially reported to
have asked permission from the de-
partment of war to leave colonel III
command of his force at Toluca and
come to the capital with portion Of
his men.
General Rivera is on the way from
the state of Oaxaca with 900 federal
soldiers
The federal troops were posted dur.
ing the night at points considered Of
strategic Importance and General Hu.
erta declared this morning that the
effort to rush the rebel lines which he
had promised for yesterday, would be
forthcoming today.
President Madero this morning sent
another ultimatum to Felix Diaz de.
manding his surrender, and the reply
came In the shape of a number OF can.
non balls from the insurgents biggest
guns.
The rebels opened the battle today
at quarter to six when they started
firing in the direction OF the federal
concentration points. 1t had been ex.
pected that the federals would attack
first. ",
The first salvo from the rebel lines
was followed quickly by O series OF
others in rapid succession. Then the
machine guns and rifles began their
whir and patter the fire being concen-
trated where the government troops
were gathering. The federal guns did
not delay in making vigorous reply.
BY o'clock the firing had rolled in.
to steady fusillade. All around the
arsenal the fash Of field guns and the
quick firers were incessant.
Federal officers declared that their
men were preparing to make for.
ward movement on the rebel lines.
Refugees Flee to Suburbs.
A constant stream Of refugees. most
of them Mexican citizens was observed
carrying bundles and scurrytng toward
the suburbs from the densely pOpu.
lated districts between the arsenal and
the national palace as soon as the ar.
Ing became intense.
In many OF the churches special
services were held by the clergy for
the restoration of peace to the capital.
Thousands Of refugees knelt in the old
edifices and joined In the prayers, at
the same time trusting not little to
the heavy walls for protection against
Ihying projectiles.
Diaz made preparations to contest
every inch Of the advance OF the gov.
er1lment troops as he indicated h4
would do in his reply to the presidents
.ultimatum. He told the government
that his followers preferred to die al
their posts rather than surrender.
They would not ask clemency.
Soon after convent Ave blocks
beyond the national palace was wreck,
ed by shell from rebel gun and
number Of its inmates were killed.
s Diaz Wants Recognition.
Diaz this morning asked for recoE.
milton as belligerent by the Unitc4
States government in an informal nc
to Ambassador Wilson, stating that ha
was in complete control of the city.
Ambassador Wilson replied prompt.
ly to the rebel leader, explaining that
while Diaz's statement might be cor.
rect, his own eye was unframed in
military affairs and he was not able to
see the situation as Diaz explained 1t.