New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-24

Di,o- ord irrigation canals flowing fuii
.,o,,,,ss 70 assist the Federals IN hoio-
inc hack the rebel forces nu' '"e
liver can be waded and the oana's ca"
va bridged in few moments al nun
- n,aces and the rebels consider the
handicap slight
Genera, villa has established tempo
rarv Headquarters here, this point oeihs
only. six miles from the centre OF lo'
room and accessible by couriers from
ali OF the rebel divisions.
No general resistance at am point
hos vet been shown by the Federais'
except 10 the advance Of Ortega's men,
Tho Federals appeared TO he saving
.hair ammunition until the rebels ap-
proach within range sufficiently CLOSE
10 make their shorts effective. NOW
and then a Federal big gun has tossed
a shell into an advancing rebel detach-
ment but there has been 10 pause OF
inc advance because of the shells.
Following the taking of Gomez Pa
lacio. which General Villa consioereu
practically assured when he gave the
word 10 begin the attack, the reoei
leader expects TO be in Torreon proper
tomorrow. and he said tonight that
there was no possibility for the army
of Velasco to escape from Torreon.
III must be surrender or death" ex-
claimed the leader of the rebel forces
Villas Plans Kept Secret
An dav. until 8 o'clock this after
noon. General Villa studied the situa-
ton and made his plans for the Tor
reon assault. TO no one did he say
,vhen or where the attack would start.
When he had perfected his plans cou-
riers were sent all along the line 10
The commanders OF the divisions and
the forward movement started.
To Ortega was given the most respoh-
sible task. that Of taking the strongly
fortified manufacturing suburb OF
Gomez Palacio. He also vas told TO
nress whatever advantage he might OBJ
tain and hold the river bottom lying
between that point and the city proper
until the other wings of the army could
larry the outer entertainments, so that
the CITY might he attacked from all
sides at once.
Already the bonn bardment OF Torreon
Is causing evident trouble among the
Federal forces. for cOuriers arriving
from the extreme front say there is
much scurrying around in the fortifica-
tions and changing of positions.
Mountain in the Way.
The mountain. Cerro &c la Pila, lies
10 the right Of tho streetcar line and
railroad tracks which connect Gomez
Palacio with Torreon. and forms an ad-
vance part of the TOrreon defences.
General Villas confidence that he will
take Gomez Palacio tonight is based
on the fact that the mountain is usually
defended merely for the purpose or IN
hicting what damage is possible
Otherwise the position is such that the
defending force could he cut of by a
superior enemy.
To-days action was preceded by
~ ious cannonading directed at the
Federal batteries with their infantry
supports on the mountain slopes When
-ebel officers with field glasses observed
hat the Federals were shifting their
positions. their own infantry was set
n motion across the plains in the Ill
rection of the mountain
once Gomez Palacio and the noun
tain Cerro de la Pila are taken, the
rebel troops may move through a val
,ev following the streetcar line to
Torreon until the very gates of the city
are reached. 1t is probable, however
that they will have to light TO cross
the Nasas River. which runs between
the two cities.
The whole valley is reported to be in
2 state Of defence with barbed wire
entanSlements and trenches. Irrigation
bitches in some instances have been
flooded. while others. left dry. will shell
Ter the Huerta soldiers. Federal bat
tcries everywhere occupy the hills
which close in on Torreon from all
sides