Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-01-03
TWO THOUSAND MEN, WOMEN
AND CHILDREN FLEE FROM
oJINAoA BATTLE ZONE.
HUNGRY AND RAGGED,
THEY SEEK PROTECTION
Problem For Border Patrol and Rcd
Cross secisty-Those Able to Walk
Sent on to Marfa-savase Fighting
Continues at ojinaoa, With Fsderals
stobborniy Resisting.

Presidio. Tex, Jan. 3.-Two thousa nd
Mexican refugees. including half
starved women and children and some
federal deserters. rushed across the
river to the United States today to
seek protection from the battle at
Ojinaga, Mexico, opposite here.
The refugees were scattered without
shelter along the river bank for two
miles. while the heavy artillery firing
between 400 federals In Ojinaga and
the rebel forces continued less than q
M:le back from tho border.
The arrival Of so many unfed and
ragged people imposed an arduous task
OH the United States Border patrol and
the few Red Cross officials. AS many
as could be induced to go were sent to
walk the distance to Maria, Tex, six
ty-seven miles. Meantime the little
mission church Of Preside was crowded
with the wounded.
Dessrters Held a. Prisoners.
Instructions came from Washington
today to hold as prisoners all deserters
VINO crossed the river. Heretofore the
patrol has disarmed and sent back all
deserters.
Maj. Gustave Schoof, OF the Cana
dian Mounted Rangers. who is one Of
the military observers here, returned
from an inspection in Ojinaga. He re-
ported that the federals out Of the
fortitications were in an irrigation
ditch which partly encircled the VIII
lage. From this they were firing
twelve to twenty pound guns.
Savage Fighting Continues.
Savage fighting between rebels and
federals at Ojinaga continued thruout
the night and was still in progress to-
day.
The besieged federals who were
thrown. Into q panic at the first on
slxuxht today were resisting stubborn
~ all attempts Of the attacking army
to drive them from the town.
Before daybreak tho artillery fire of
the constitutiOnalists, which continued
all night, became more furious. A per-
feet rain OF shells descended upon the
federal entertainments. Wounded SOL
diers, who found their way across the
river. said federal losses were heavy.
Fsdsrals Make Desperate sortis.
During the night about 200 federals
made desperate sortie and from the
river bottoms about a half mile from
Ojinaga attempted to dislodge tho
rebels, but the constitutionalists opened
fire on them with machine guns and
whipped them back with severe losses.
Scattering bullets fell on the Amer
lean side OF the Nne today but no one
was injured. Fresh Red Cross supplies
arrived today. Nurses and physicians
are preparing to care for the large
number of wounded they expect to find
on the field at the conclusion OF the
battle.
Both Sides Waste Ammunition.
w. H. Cleveland, commissioner of
this county. who crossed to confer
with General Orega, was within 100
yards Of an exploding shell.
Major School said there were not
fewer than 900 or 700 causalties on
both sides under the federal charge.
Both sides. he said,. were wasting am
munition. however.
Money to cheer Fedsrals.
The federal army paymaster with
s145,0OO In Mexican currency arrived
from Maria today. A report that the
money had been stolen proved untrue.
The money was rushed across the river
in hope OF encouraging the federal SOL
diers. Gems. Francisco Castro and Sal
vado Mercado sent word that they had
no intentions to abandon the town.
The rebels have been reinforced un-
til they numbered today $500. A fresh
supply Of ammunition is expected from
Chihuahua