Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-23

Huerta Victories Reported,
News of Defeats Withheld
From the Public in Mexico
MEXICO CITY, August 23.-Nine fights
between the federals and constitution
alists are. reported to have taken place
during the last twenty-four hours. All
of them are recorded as. federal VIC
tories. :.
H According to the official. the military
situation throughout the republic is
greatly improved. The rebels are said
to be generally disheartened and on the
defensive ip all quarters.
. These official. reports are practically
the only source of information on which
news for local consumption is based.
The other. side of the story rarely
reaches the capital. because of interrupt
ed communications and censorship Of
dispatches at points outside the capital.
In three of the fights reported It's rebels
are said to have been killed. while the
federal loss is given at eight.
The situation about Torreon is now
admitted to be slightly worse. 1t is
understood the rebels control much of
the country about that section and
that a thousand more are marching
southwark from Cuatro Cienegas, Goa
hula to reinforce those already there
Gen. Pena's headquarters at Monclova
have reported a portion OF his men to De
cut off by the rebels and in need of
help. Gen. Joaquin Mas. who is
marching northward from Monclava to
ed to delay his movements in order to
with Gen. Pena.
Sonora News Suppressed.
The government expresses confidence
that Pena and Mas will be able TO check
the southwark movement of the rebels.
Great Improvement in the situation in the
state of Chihuahua is reported by the gov
eminent The public has been given no
news from Guaymas, Sonora, for several
days, except assurances that the rebels
in that vicinity are demoraltzed because
Of discussions between the rebel leaders
Maytorena and PeSQueira- 1t Is under
stood that the federal general Ojeds will
attempt no advance In Sonora until he is
reinforced.
Admissions are made that the rebels
are gaining Roadway in the state OF Sin
aloa south of Sonora The government.
however. insists that this Roadway is not
important. One of the recent exploits
Of the rebels In Sinaloa was the destruc-
ton with dynamite of a Southern PACING
railway bridge 225 feet long.
Increased activity has been displayed
lately in the state Of MorelOs, where
the federal general. Juvencto Robes.
has been given free hand to destroy the
followers Of Zapata- The newspapers
today quote official reports from More
los, saying the state is free from rebels
at last. These reports say the last of
them. including Zapata, have gone
south into the state Of Guerrero
Previously large numbers moved north
and now are almost encircling the CAPT
tai. The official explanation Is that
they chose this direction. other exits
from Morelos being closed. Other re-
ports published today, equally official,
say De Lao, at the head of a we'll or
ganized band OF rebels, IS entrenched
at Lepeite. Morelos, and that still other
bands have been accounted for in the
same state.
Scores of Towns Destroyed.
The government is displaying keen sat
isfaction over its energetic campaign of
determination. Scores of small towns
have been destroyed hundreds of fami-
lies dispossessed and many young men
shot. Since the followers of Zapata in
vaded the federal district Gen. Robes
has destroyed seven towns within few
miles Of the capital, including Ajurdo,
which is almost within sight of the city.
In these destroyed towns only the
churches Were left standing, and they
have been abandoned by the priests,
whose congregations have disappeared.
Three more towns near the capital were
ordered destroyed today.
In the capitals suburbs there are ar
irving daily hundreds Of dispossessed
refugees from destroyed towns. who car
ry on their backs their personal effects.
The followers Of Zapata are more
active than ever in their compaign Of
destruction and personal outrages.
They are raiding numerous villages
Tins to torture in the states of Mexico
and Hidalgo. west and north of the
capital. The government papers de-
scribe these outrages as tine last
struggles of a wounded beast" For
some days the badly informed public
believed that Pachuca, capital of HI
dalgo, was in danger OF attack, but
has been treasured by the government.
which announced that il was sending
500 reinforcements thither. Around
mines. Americans and Englishmen are
preparing to defend them.
Ell Pals reported that there was a
greatly increased rebel movement In
papers today print news of the defeat
Of the rebel chief Candida Navarro
near Silao. state of Guanajuato.
The public previously had believed this
state fFee from feDclS
Rebels Infest Zacatecas.
The state of Zacatecas admittedly Is
infested by rebels, but the government
expresses confidence that 1t is able to
maintain control there Officially. con-
ditions in San Luis Potosi are reported
to be improved.
There also has been some improve
ment recently in railway communica-
lions. The area in which actual traffic
Is still restricted is Limited 10 the CEN
ter Of the republic.
The ACCESSIBILITY Of calling an extra
session of congress to deal with the
situation growing out Of the representa-
tions of President Wilson to President
Huerta was discussed yesterday by the
permanent committee of congress.
A proposed amendment to a, resolution
to call an extra session precipitated
debate. The amendment favored trying
for sedition the introducers of the reso-
luton.
Another amendment providing that the
nature of the negotiations with the
United States government. was offered
by Manuel Malo Juvera. Failure to pass
this resolution under q suspension OF the
rules resulted In its being referred to a
committee. which will be unable to re-
port before next Fridays session. ana
since the regular session Of congress VIII
begin September 10 the deputies believe
that the calling of a special session is
improbable.
Officials and the public are taking a
keen interest In the developments at
Washington affecting Mexico.
HOBSON RUSHING TO CAPITAL.