Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-12
''STOP FIGHTING"
IS DEMANDED
Continued from First Page.)

Continued from First Page
the firing began, but it is almost certain
that the first shots which precipitated
the general fighting We're accidental. 4
group OF persons insisted upon crossing
a street, and a small detachment of
federals fired. A machine gun Joined in.
and the battle was on.
Thousand Dead or Wounded.
Estimates of the casualties in yester-
days fighting run as high as 1000. and,
although accurate information cannot be
obtained at this time, the dead certainly
will be counted by the hundreds.
Two Americans are known to have been
wounded. DR.. r. II. McCrosson Of Lin
coin. Neb.. was shot I'm the hand while
venturing along a street He had Just ar
rived here. Mark Johnson. cOlored, of
Madison. H.. received bullet in the
shoulder.
The streets in which the fighting oc-
Cured present dilapidated appearance.
One Of the buildings which suffered most
is that in which the American consulate
general was located. and from which the
consul and his staff were forced to flee.
The conflict was brought on in the
face of a protest by Ambassador Wilson
and the representatives of other nations,
and despite formal offer by Senior de
Ia Barra to act a mediator between
Madero and DfaZ.
No Compromise With Diaz.
Senior de la Barra sent message to
President Madero. saying:
I'm the name of humanity and as IA
Mexican who is free of all political and
revolutionary parties. l wish to offer my
services in any way possible to effect
peace without further bloodshed.''
Madero replied, thanking him, but de-
claring that no terms other than an I'M
conditional surrender could be made with
Diaz
All through the night the federal COM
manders had been placing their men in
position. Twenty cannon. some Of heavy
caliber, had been brought in from the
outlying districts. Rurales were engaged
in TRANSPORTING ammunition.
From above the captured arsenal Gen.
Felix Diaz fioated his red flag of defiance.
The rebels appeared no less ready for
battle than the federals Orders We're
issued to the attachments guarding all
approaches to the arsenal to retire on
the appearance Of any armed force.
The American ambassador published
warming to all Americans. urging them
not to go unnecessarily into the danger
zone From hundreds of buildings float
ed the flags of foreign nations, and early
in ane day a crowd of foreigners conyre-
gated in the cable office. sending reas-
surfing messages to relatives and others
abroad.
Shells Fall Miles Away.
Beyond that issued by the, American
ambassador, practically no warning was
given to n-combatants to retire to a
place of safety. AS matter of fact
1t was impossible to mark the limita
lions Of the danger zone. AS the battle
proceeded shells intended for the enemy
four blocks away often found Judgment
in houses a mile or two miles distant
Rifle bullets flew from the center to tbe
circumference of the capital MAKING
safety III any quarter only a relative.
term.
The first shots were fired shortly aft
er ~ O'Clock, and for seven hours the
fighting was practically continuous
The heaviest line of fire was early
established along Balderas street. the
cannon of the opposing forces shooting
across distance of only four blocks
point blank. The federals at the north
end Of the line used q battery of guns
brought from Cuernavaca.
The extremities of the dueling
ground were defended by detachments
Of infantry and machine guns. whose
rain Of bullets swept the Intervening
space. with death to any exposed
creature.
Flee American Consulate.
It was this engagement which re.
suited in damage to the American con.