The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-31
Important Developments in
Situation Believed to Be Inn
minent. Wilson Refuses to
Discuss Matter.
Expected That Secretary Bryan
Will Also Go to Pass Chris
tan. Rebels Drive Federals
Before Them in Fight at
Ojinaga.

PASS CHRISTIAN, MISS. Dec. 80.
Important developments in the Mex
lean situation are believed TO be i'm
fninent.
This sleepy little gulf coast com
munity may soon witness the cul-
nlination of events burying the long
praised peace in the republic south
Of the Rio Grande. Word came to-
night that John Lind, special envoy
of President Wilson to Provisional
President Huerta Will come here to
report in person. This means that
situation has developed which Lind.
although his powers are known to be
very great, cannot decide, but which
must have the approval of the presi.
dent.
No surprise was expressed at the
winter White House when the presi-
dent was apprised through his naval
aide, DIR, Cary r GraysoD. that aid
vices from Vera Cruz said that Lind
was sailing from there tonight on
the Chester. And while there was no
denial of the report there was the
usual lack OF confirmation.
Nothing to Say.
From the president himself came
the statement that he would have.
HbNif1tS IL cay bih AFtF SdFIN%N+ 4 VIA ~
source very close TO him came this
yelled declaration:
III it IL true that John Lind Is
coming here the only Importance that
can be attached 10 Il IS realization
of -fas.t-Ihai- thers- is much that
he must report to the president which
he believes can be best explained by
a face To face interview.
THE Winona nysteriously dssap-
peared from here today. Her com
mander, Captain Landry, held an ex-
feaased conference with --AIraNSor
yesterday Although the regulations
compel full Uniform when paying
visit To superior officer the cap
tain was In multi,
He declined to discuss his visit and
DIR. Grayson was equally uncommuni-
cative. Last night two Of the Vino
mas crew came ashore and received
a message. Today the cutter sailed
She lis coaling and getting ready for
any use to which she may De as
signed.
II is expected that Secretary Of
State Bryan will also come here. This.
however. Is not get certain. and VIII
DEPEND on messages which Will toe
exchanged with Lind on the Chester
and Bryan through the naval wire
less station at Arlington. Va.
The Chester has the most power
full wireless plant in the American
navy and can communicate at all
times with the Virginia station
Should Bryan desire to come he can
leave Washington following his
MANNED new years reception to the
diplomatic corps and reach here sat
prday morning, about the time that
Lind will he at Ray, St Louis.
Ell PAsO. TEXAs, Dec. 80
Fighting has been in progress at
ojinaga between the Mexican rebels
and federals almost all day. The
real battle did not open until after
noon today when apparently all the
forces of rebels and federals be-
came engaged in the fighting. AT
o'clock the rebels had drawn In
close to the town. and were fighting
there while engagements were taxi
Ing place Just above and below Ojin-
agn simultaneously.
Numerous federal deserters crossed
10 the American side today, including
ffteen who were badly wounded.
They were cared for by United States
army physicians,
The Red Cross society sent call
for more help and medical supplies
The flight OF many wounded across
the river to Preside would indicate
that q large number were being killed
or wounded In the fighting. From
reports this afternoon the rebels ap-
reared to be having the best OF the
light, notwithstanding the strong for
fi,cations of the federals in Ojinaga
and it's apparent impregnability. The
Arhting had all been among the out
vosts. however, and the rebels had
VT to storm the town Itself. De-
sultory firing was opened by the
rebels who appeared within sight Of
the village In greatly Increased num-
bers early today.
In Desperate Fight.
The federaIs had retreated to the
fnnermost trenches. apparently with
hope OF repulsing the attacking force.
Only few shots came from the
Huerta forces In the early stages of
fighting, but they warmed up To 1t
later ard fought desperately.
Six thousand rebels. under COM
ynand ar Generals Toribio. Ortega.
Sebastian Carranza, Jr., and Rodri-
'Nruex, camped within only Il few miles
lJbf Oiinaga last night, after skirmish-
inG and driving in the federal pickets
during part Of the evening.
The number killed SO far has not
been learned, though II is known
that the fedcrals have quite num-
Der wounded in their camp. The
federal generals at Otnaga were In
communication last night with Gem
erai BANQUET at Mexico City.
The United States government to-
day refused to accept messages at
Preside for transmission to Maria
over its telephone line. SO that Pres
idio and Ojinaga are cut Off except
~ courier to Maria, except for mill
tary wires.
A hundred federal troops crossed
gtth0 river to this side when the fight
ing was on last night, but at the
sight Of the United States troops they
recrossed to the Mexican side. None
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