Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-03

gas 5000 rebels besieging the Mexican
federal army at Ojinaga, Mex, with
heavy volume of fire he'd gotten into
closer quarters on the federals before
daylight today and apparently the fed
erals could not hold out much longer
against a forced retreat across the
Texas border at Preside.
At an early hour the army telegraph
wire from Maria to Presidio went
down and United States army officials
who are watching the situation close
ly are without late advices. The las,
word received from Major McName
commanding the border patrol a.
Preside was that the desertlons IRON
the federal army had slackened. The
federals received some of their back
pay, Major McName said, and this had
discouraged further desertions.
Major McName had the situation
well in hand Of preparing for an ex
pected flight of the whole federal
army across the border. The danger
of the federals drawing the rebel fire
closer to the border in case Of flight
was considered, but the border patrol
had received the promise of General
! Ortega that the fire would be directed
away from the river.
Rebel agents here expressed the be-
lief that one side would soon run out
of ammunition and if it should happen
to be the federals their retreat would
result Immediately Villa has more
ammunition on the way from Chihua-
shua in the hope; of reE@enishing the
rebel ammunition before it is exhaust
ed. The federals have no way Of re-
newing their supplies
The federal wounded at Presidio
have all been removed to the mission
church where they are in care of the
Red Cross The federal commander
requested Major McName to remove
some of the wounded to Ciudad Por-
firio Diaz, Mex, but the request was
refused.
Deputies Are Released.
Mexico City, Jan. 2.-Twenty-six for
mer Mexican deputies imprisoned by
Provisional President Huerta last Oc-
tober, were released from the peniten-
tiary today This number does not In
ciude Rodolfo Ruiz, former minister of
Justice, nor Jorge Vera Estanol, former
minister of public instruction.
The Judge of the district court who
had charge of the investigation, found
there was no basis for the accusation
of rebellion.
A great sensation was caused on
October 10, when the Mexican minister
Of the interior, Manuel Garza Aldape,
lined up several hundred federal troops
in front of the chamber where the
deputies were in session. Just before
this occurred 10 members of the
chamber had signed resolutions OF
warning to General Huerta in regard
to the disappearance of Senator DOM
inguez who had been sent to the peni-
tentiary. The minister walked to the
tribune of the chamber and stated that
President Huerta considered the depu-
ties resolution an act of unjustified ag-
gression and a transgression of the
rights of the executive and the courts.
He then ordered the arrests. The
deputies were then hurried off to Jail
and congress dissolved.
Rebels Reinforced.
Laredo, Texas, Jan. 2-Fighting be-
tween constitutionalists attacking
Eeuvo Laredo and the federal garrison
was renewed today. There was only
occasional firing during the night. Reb-
els reinforcements arrived last night.
To Attack Tampco. 4
Tampico, Mex, Jan. 2.-Artillery and
ammunition are reaching the rebel
front in such a manner as to indicate
that an early attack may be made on
Tampico, or on the force of 1900 fed
eral troops entrenched at Altamira, %
niles from the coast. Several pieces
OF artillery and large supply of am
munition were delivered to the rebels
at Cervantes today. "
Rebel engineers are operating the
trains from the city Of Victoria to Ger
vantes which lies only ten miles off
Altamira.