Imperial Valley press., 1913-09-30
In Full Retreat

Eagle Pass, Tex, Sept. 30-Unable
to withstand the roar and effect of
modern artillery, the Constitutionalist
army, for the second time since the
capture of Monclova by the Federals,
is again in full retreat and only the
dull glow of burning property is left
to tell the tale of battles fought and
lost.
Seized by mania for destruction
such as the war in Mexico has not
witnessed before, the retreating Car
ranzistas. with torch and dynamite,
are wiping from the map many towns
that were formerly among the most
prosperous in the district and scores
of fortunes are ascending heavenward
in a halo of smoke tonight, as the
result of the defeat. No discrimina-
tion has been shown between the,
property owners of different national
tiles, and Americans and Europeans,
as well as the MeXicans themselves,
amazed and aghast at the anarchy, are
trying to guess how destruction and
desolation can possibly aid a revolu-
tionary cause that pretends to be con
structive.
Rosita, Agujita, Menor and Barro-
teran no longer exist, and the owners
of these and other immense properties
are stunned by the reports that not
even blade of grass will be left
when the federals arrive. Every fac
tory, public building and workshop
between the battlefield and the Rio
Grande has been mined and each ad-
vance of the Federal army will mark
the destruction of hundreds of thou
sands of dollars worth of tangible
property which might or might not
prove of value to the other side.
For several weeks it has been
known that the ConstitutionaliSts
were contemplating the abandonment
of Coahuila owing to the necessity OF
keeping a large force constantly on
duty to prevent the Federals from ad-
vancing. With the first intimation
that the Federals were coming, the
Constitutionalist leaders decided to
make a stand if for no other reason
than the moral effect the loss Of
Piedras Negras would have on the
American people.
Men familiar with the inside opera
tions of the Constitutionalist iunta as
sert that jealousy between command
ing officers arose at Abasolo and men
capable of making a stand were de-
liberately forced into the background.
The first battle of the latest cam
paign was fought at Abasolo, where
it is stated that at least $50 soldiers
on both sides were killed, but no ink
ling of the real statistics was allowed
to reach the foreign correspondents.
Lacking artillery and acting unde~
orders not to risk annihilation in open
battle, Gen. Gonzales retreated to his
stronghold at Aura, where prepara-
tions were made to oppose resistance.
The battle Of yesterday followed and
although the loss in killed and
wounded was not great, the men be-
hind the guns became demoralized
and the commanding officers were un-
able to keep them in action. While
no official confederation has been Civ
en- to the public, it is reported tonight
that Gen. Gonzales was forced to sur
render the supreme command and Col.
Murguia, a seemingly natural-born
fighter, was put at the head of the
forces. but too late to save the day.
Trains were kept in readiness fer
the retreat to Barroteran and thence
to Sabinas and at midnight no few
er than 5000 refugees were brought
to this city en- route to the Texas
frontier
BY common accord the work of
destruction started early in the aft
ernoon and continues throughout the
night.
The air is filled with rumors that
all the towns previously mentioned
were looted before the torch was ap-
piled, but though this may be true,
few of the retreating hosts are bur-
dened with movable property.
The great railroad bridge at
Sabinas which was mined several
weeks ago is said to have been
blown up at 1890 o'clock tonight.
The Constitutionalist officials deny
this, but admit that the bridge will
be destroyed with the first appear
ance Of Mexican regulars. The wa
ter supply in the territory abandoned
by the Constitutionalists has been
made "unpalatable" with syanide and
arsenic the army officers assert, and
it is expected the Federals will be
unable to cross the barren stretch
cOnth Of thic ynin4 Ioo.+ +,,.o