Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-02-20

Tho rebels extended their lines
shortly after o'clock this morning
and there was constant shifting
Of position by the federal troops.
those who had remained on tho
frinses Of the danger zone.
REBELS HAVE RESERVE.
A large force Of rebels command
ed by Gen. Geneveve De La o., is
encamped a few miles outside Of
the capital in readiness to obey the
orders Of Diaz.
De La o this morning issued
proclamation explaining his inten-
tions.
Diaz secretly sent out number
OF officers today to assist in drill
ing the recruits under De La %.
He ordered them to maintain their
positions, as he did not want any
moro men outside his lines than
he could conveniently feed and he
did not regard reinforcements as
essential.
Il is strongly minated that tho
special investigation Of the SEN
ate called this morning insisted on
President Madero's resignation.
Many of the senator's did not at
tend. They declared they were un-
able to traverse the city.
The special session of the senate
was called as the result of a letter
from Pedro Lascurain. the foreign min
ister~to the first vice president. indi-
eating that the members of the upper
house should assemble to discuss means
of settling the present situation.
Madero Won't Listen.
Minister Lascurain declared after
the meeting of the senate that it was
by no means certain Madero would
resign. The president. he said, was
anxious to end the difficulties in a pa
triotic manner if possible without fur
ther bloodshed. but this appeared inn
possible.
At o'clock this morning the rebels
We're persistently extending their ar
tillely fire. sending challenge shots in
all directions to draw out the federal
artillery and launching many heavy
shelis IN the direction of the national
palace. :
After an executive meeting in the
chamber of deputies. the majority of
the senate left for the national pal-
ace to demand the resignation of Pres
ident Madero.
They We're accompanied by Francisco
De La Barra and the Spanish minister
| to Mexico.
Palace Under Fire.
The rebel artillery occasionally
threw shells at the national palace.
where the senators We're endeayorina
to devise means of bringing about
peace.
The general bombardment of the fed
eral positions continued steadily
throughout the morning,
Inc government batteries in Alameda
park came into action as we'll as am
other near the Colonia railroad sta
ton, and still another on San Juan
De Letran street. to the east of the
rebels position.
a series of sharp engagements oc-
CURED at various points. A number
Oh the Iederai forces came into action
at times with machine guns and IN
fantry firing to which the rebels sharn-
ly replied. 'iiei
The aggressiveness of the rehe,s
during the night brought about f,1r-
Their scenes of panic among the nenrla
thousands of whom filed the streets
during every lull in the f1ghting anI
fastened away from the danger zone
Before midnight, Diaz taking adyan.
tage of the unlighted streets. EXTENDED
his lines for several blocks and short
~ afterward engaged the federal troons
from his new positions in the so-calleG
Juafez colony" which is tllickly pop
ulated with foreigners.
Artillery Battle Fierce.
Groups Of rebel soldiers denloyef
along Versailles street and from the
roofs of buildings on Turin street ane
Barcona street. For a time they main.
tanned an almost incessant rifle ant
machine gun fire at the federal out.
posts stationed far out in what has
been called the neutral zone"
From time to time rebel cannons
threw propectiles IN all directions try
| Ing to draw the federal fire. They sue
ceeded between 3 and O'Clock ii
awakening two federal batteries into
action and sharp artillery duel last
ing half an hour gave the city its frs
| experience of a night bombardment.
| From o'clock until dawn there wa.
practically silence throughout the city
At daybreak the rebel cannon got
renewed reply from the government
lines and the battle was again in ful
swing.
The announcement of resignation O
President Madero was made on au.
tl1ority of British legation at a lat,
| hour last night. founded on the fac
! that De La Barras visit to Presiden
! Madero had been followed by an i'm
mediate cessation of firing by boil
sides. The legation officials took thi.
as az sandication that De La Barra hat
! succeeded in prevailing on the presi
| dent to resign and announced 1t Al
| fact.
General Huerta and other fedora
commanders assured President Nader,
| this morning that the government
forces would win. This is thought t,
have been the cause of the presiden
| Refusing TO resign