Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1913-02-18
TRUCE IS
BROKEN BY
BOTH SIDES
Roar of Heavy Cannonading An
nounces Renewing Of
Hostiities.
DISPATCHES ARE CENSORED
Officials Place Ban on Communica-
ton With Outside
World.
DISPATCHES ARE CENSORED

Mexico City, Feb. 17.-Hostilities
were resumed with renewed fierce
ness in the Mexican capital yester.
day after truce which lasted only
few hours.
The armistice signed at O'Clock
Sunday morning by the representa-
tives of both sides agreeing to sus-
pend operations for twenty-four
hours, was broken before noon.
Soon the sound of heavy cannon
aiding and the whirr of machine
guns announced the return of the
federal troops to their posts in front
of the arsenal
1t appeared as if the words of Ma
dero and Diaz might prove prophetic
and that this time the battle would
be to finish.
President Madero reiterated yes
terday morning his refusal to COM
ply with the suggestion of the sena-
tors that he resign. He declared
that he still was able to dominate
the situation and that if given time
he would crush the rebel forces.
General Diaz had not shown him
self to be greatly in favor of the ar
mistice, but consented to it out of
respect for the efforts of the Amer
lean ambassador and the ministers
Of the powers to bring about ces-
sation of hostilities until foreigners
and other noncombatants, still with
IN the zone of the fighting, could be
to a position of comparative
safety.
Diaz regarded the truce merely as
4 delay in the accomplishment Of his
fixed purpose to drive Madero out of
the presidency. The fighting Satur-
day undoubtedly had9 gone in favor
If the rebels, who had resisted all as
saults against them, had received
nto their ranks several hundred
'ederal deserters and had obliged
he federal commanders to admit
hat for the present at least, the reb-
j position was impregnable. Il
General Huerta, the commander
If the government troops, hard
lighter, who has been through many
also was opposed to the
lrmistice, and chafed under the
erms which it imposed upon him.
Nor did he willingly agree to the
of a large body of his forces
Jack to the federal base near the ma
ional palace last night.
President Madero's attitude was
me of evaporation, but as he had
the American government
o withhold Intervention, he could
10 no less than consent to an armis-
ice when the question was submit
ed directly to him. But he let it be
,nown, without equivocation, that
lie was determined to retain the
Presidency.
The American ambassador and the
ierman minister called on the presi-
ent and asked that the military
dispositions of the government forces
hould be so arranged as to render
Unnecessary the firing over the resi-
entail quarter; that a free zone be
xed and that the government unite
With the American committee in the
of centers for the dis
of food to the poor, this
aving already been agreed to pro-
isionally by General Diaz
Early yesterday morning the em-
assy was the scene of intense activ-
ty. A dozen automobiles moved
Witty to and fro, carrying refugees,
rovisions and messages. The work
ntailed necessitated the hiring of
orps of extra clerks and stenogra-
hers. The embassy building was
esieged by hundreds, not all OF
hem Americans, who asked for as
istance. There is. little actual suf-
ering from lack of food or shelter
yithin the city, but there is vast
of discomfort and great dam
er to those who remain.
4