Imperial Valley press. (El Centro, Calif.) 1907-current, 1914-01-02

on the American side of the border
1t is learned that $4,000 sent from
here yesterday to pay federal troops
at Ojinaga was captured, the thieves
being still at large. There was furth
er desertion from the garrison.
CBy United Press Associations)
Ell Paso, Jan. with wires be-
tween Preside Maria down for twenty
hours, no information has been receiv-
| ed here of the battle at Ojinaga, where
the rebels for three days have been be-
sieging the federals. Correspondents
American army officers and rebel
leaders are making every effort to re-
establish communication.
When the last word came 5000 reb-
els were hammering the defenses
which were manned by 1000 federals.
The battle is reported the bloodiest of
the campaign thus far. The killed on
both sides are estimated at above a
thousand and the wounded at twice as
many.
(By United Press Associations)
Pass Christian, Miss, Jan. 2-The
scout cruiser Chester, with Lind
aboard, has anchored off Ship island,
alongside the revenue cutter Winona,
which is detailed to bring Lind to the
pier opposite Wilson's cottage. The
president was up early for walk. He
was displeased that the news that he
had summoned Lind here had leaked.
At 1920 the Winona's launch came
ashore. Lieutenant Howell delivered
to the secret service agent on duty a
message which the agent carried to
the president. 1t is reported the presi-
dent instructed Lind to come ashore
this afternoon. Despite rain the presi-
dent motored to Gulfport for golf.
(By United Press Associations
Washington, Jan. 2-Secretary of
War Garrison approved today the ac-
ton of America 4 troops at the Texas
border in disarming the Mexican fed
eral refugees and sending them back
to Mexico. The Mexican consul at Ell
Paso had protested. The administra-
ton holds that this applies to persons
who come to the border armed, that
they are adventurers, not refugees.
Carlson said: "When fighting began
an order was issued to admit all un-
armed refugees. The order was not
changed. Those coming unarmed will
not be sent back to centain death, we
will keep them until they can return
safely, but armed men cannot cross
the border"
, General Wood, chief of staff, has
notified the American Red Cross on
the border to cooperate in caring for
the wounded and distributing supplies
Preside, Jan. 2-The United States
border patrol here was preparing yes
terday afternoon to receive the sur
render of the entire Mexican fedora
forces bottled up in Ojinaga.
Army officers believed that it was
only a question of time before the
reluctant warriors of Huerta, exposed
to calling fire from the constitu-
tionalists, would desert in body and
swarm across the river.
The American forces which would
then be called upon to deal with
1000 or 5000 fugitives consists of less
than 900 cavalrymen.
Ma jor McNamee, commanding the
border patrol, sent this message to
General Hugh l.. Scott, at Ell Paso:
"Heavy artillery firing continued
in and about Ojinaga. Several hun
dred women and children came
across and are under cover on this
side. Many mounted came in from
different points up and down the
river and were taken to church.
Red Cross officials wired for three
doctors, several nurses and supplies.
Il am still driving federals back,
and disarming them. Have now over
200 rifles, other arms and ammuni-
ton. Expect at any time during the
fight that the greater part of the
federal army, possibly two or three
thousand, may be forced to cross the
river. | have made dispositions to
disarm and hold them, if this takes
place. At this hour / have one troop
patrolling between the town and the
river and another riding roads north
of Ojinaga leading toward Shafter.
"A few shells fired by constitu
tionalists fell close to or on the
American bank of the river north of
town. No one was injured. l sent
a demand to General Ortega warn
ing him against consequences of such
action. SO far have the situation in
hand. (Signed) McNAMEE.'
About 1000 wounded on both sides
was an estimate as accurate as could
be ascertained up to 1890 p. m. At
that hour the firing continued with
disastrous results to the federals.
Ortega's rebel forces were gaining
the approaches to the village with
artillery fire. 1t appeared to observ-
ers on this side that the rebels
would either capture the federal gar
gison- or force the expected flight to
the American side. The federal de-
serters continue to rush to the river
in numbers. Major McNamee's pa
troll at once surrounded and disarmed
the refugees and sent back all who
were not wounded. No shots were
coming across the river.
Between Ojinaga and the river
stretches about mile of flat land.