The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-31
DEATH OR FLIGHT.
CONTINUED from Page One.)


Ortega, acting under direct orders from
General Villa. to drive the federals into
the United States and return to Chi
huahua with no prisoners. has in two
days battle fought an aggressive fight
which has struck terror into the hearts
OF federal troops and which already
has sent scores of them in flight across
the American border.
A desultory fire was continuous
through the night both from federals
and rebels but the casualties even from
the two days fighting remain unknown.
Conflicting reports arrived in Pre-
sidio today, concerning the numbers of
wounded and dead, but always the
greatest number of cOnjectured fatali-
ties were on the side of the federals,
whose firing was believed to have been
Intellectual against the guerilla tactics
of General Ortega and his men. The
resumption of the battle was expected
to be the beginning Of the end, for
Ojinaga was tightly surrounded and
the fighting must be almost hand to
hand before the government troops
can be dislodged from their trenches
and the Notifications of the town.
No surrender was the slogan, under
which the federal general entered the
battle today. American army men,
commanding the troops here on border
duty, forecast that the result would be
flight and all night kept close patrol
turing a deserter, disarming him
and driving ham back into Mex
leo. Extensive preparations were
made by -Aajor McNamee, COM
manding the American forces, to check
any impetuous retreat into the United
States and to care for additional
wounded federals.
The rebels yet must take the cir
cular lines of hills which protect Oil
maya before they can direct their fire
into the heart of the federal forces.
With their heaviest artillery directing
shot and shell at the hill Notifications
it appeared but a matter of hours be-
fore the rebel cavalry would enter the
little Mexican village. The federal
army has not the guns to match the
rebels and it depends mainly upon it's
rifle fire and the protection of few
mountain guns.
Change in Policy Expected.
Washington. Dec. 31.-Secretary
Bryan. back from his holiday in Flor
ida, was early at his desk today, going
over Mexican dispatches which accu-
INFLATED, in his absence. NJ Bryan
would not discuss John Lind g forth
coming conference with President
Wilson, at Pass Christian, Miss, or
the reasons which had prompted the
presidents representative to seek a
personal interview with his chief. He
said he did not know whether Mr..
Lind would come to Washington.
In official circles it was suggested
some new announcement regarding
the policy of the United States to-
wards Mexico might be made after
Mr.. Lind's report to Mr.. Wilson.
Early End Looked For.
1t was the opinion of military ex-
perts here today that the battle would
be decided within "a hours. Likewise
1t was believed that the only chance of
the federals to escape q merciless ex-
termination, should the rebels pour in
on them, was precipitate flight
across the United States border The
federals were reported short of am
murition. while the rebels, by the fire.
queEcy Of their fire, appeared to have
an ample supply, said to have been
ken with the occupation of Chihua-