The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-18
REBELS CONFIDENT;
MADERO RECEIVES
PRESIDENTS REPLY
(Continucd from page one)

Tafts message. / regard it as satisfac-
tory and friendly" The fighting con-
tinued throughout the day, but the fed
eral guns were quite as ineffective as
ever in dislodging the rebels from their
entrenched and fortified positions. Fur
thermore, the federals did not show the
same aggressiveness which marked their
action in the early days of the battle.
This is believed to be due to the ract
that they realize the present forces of
the government are not of sufficient
strength to defeat the rebels.
General Huerta announced, however
that he expected soon to begin an en-
circling movement in which bombs would
be used at short range.
General Banquet is loyal to the gov
ernment and will be placed in command
of the reserves at the national palace.
Appears Sanguine
Both on Sunday and today Madero ap-
peared sanguine of the ultimate success
of the federal army. lie declared that the
outlook was optimistic and that he had
been offered support or all kinds. In his
opinion Hapata, the guerilla leSder, was
not in favor of Diaz in the present move
ment.
Nearly all the noncombatants have
moved out of the real danger zone. Bread
and corn meal are abundant in the capi-
tai and are being distributed among the
poor.
It was reported early in the day that the
arinistice would be extended to s o'clock
Monday night, as the removal of the
foreigners from the lines of fire had not
been completed.
An accurate approximation of the num-
Der of dead and wounded in the eight
days fighting is impossible. Government
army officers admit $50 killed and 400 seri-
ously wounded on the fderal side.
The Diaz adherents acknowledge losses
of so killed and 100 wounded.
Ambulances of the Red Cross society
have ceased attempting to remove the
dead and are devoting their entire atten-
ton to the wounded. The dead are being
gathered by the city street cleaning de-
partment wagons and burned.
Fran various sources 1t is estimated
that owing to the promiscuous firing OF
cannon, there has been a great loss of
life among noncombatants.
General Mondragon said that peace was
earnestly desired by General Diaz, but
only on condition that Madero, Jose Pine
Suarez, the vice, president and the entire
Madero cabinet relinquish their posts.
|. General Rafael Ravilo, who was in conn
nand of the arsenal when 1t fell into
the hands of Diaz week ago and Major
Lopez Figueroa, chief of police of the
lcapital, who were taken prisoners are
still held by General Diaz. 1t was re-
ported that both had been executed.
Federals Open Action
1t was the federal forces that pre-
eipitated hostilities during the ar
mfstice ON Sunday. Operations were
resumed without warning and the
rebels fired upon the federals who
were seeking to advance their lines
upon the west side of the arsenal
The movement was observed by the
Foutposts and the word was passed 10
Captain Delgado, commander in charge
Hof the rebels west wing He at once
gave orders to check the advance.
The firing of this section quickly
provoked return fire from the fed
eral positions and within 10 minutes
the big guns of both forces were in
action as fiercely as at any period of
the battle.
Immense water mains lying in the
streets ready for installation were said
to have been used as a tunnel by
the government soldiers to approach
the enemy's lines.
+ The American ambassador and 9TH
er foreign diplomatic representatives
had received assurance early in the day
that both had been executed.
From o'clock Sunday morning until
2:30 Sunday afternoon hardly a shot
was fired by either side. General Diazs
agreement to the truce proposal was
based on its acceptance and obsery-
ance by the federals He told the rep
resentatiye of the ambassadors that he
was acting only on the defensive and
would he Obliged to protect himself
Ishould Tire, others reopen hostilities.
lA The truce was agreed to uncondi-
tionally by General Huerta, who caused
circulars to be distributed about the
streets, giving notification of the ar
mistice and advising citizens and for
eigners to make use of, the 1ull to va
cate their residences if they were To-
Gated in danger zones and to procure
provisions.
Automobiles flying the flags of the
various nations as we'll las the white
flags, sped about Sthe city. passing
without restriction through the picket
lines of the combatants. M
Suddenly and without any apparent
explanation firing waseresumed in mid
afternoon. A few scattering rifle shots
We're heard. followed. by the rap, rap,
rap" of machine gun,
These increased in volume and with
in few minutes the big guns at the
arsenal began booming
Hundreds were caught in positions
of extreme danger, and were compelled
TO make their way back to the So
called neutral zone as best they could,
lodging across streets under fire and
at times running risk ofedeath from
flying bullets.
Wilson Effected Truce
The truce was the result Of a per-
sonal visit made by Ambassador Will
son. accompanied by the, German min
;-tar Napop Nop IJiptzp. 10 the na-