Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
Federal Commander Runs
Up White Flag, 1t is
Reported.
PLEAS FOR MEMS LIVES
General Villa Said at First to
Have Refused to Spare Trait
orS to His Cause.

Washington, D. c, April 1.-Secre-
,,-v Bryan late today had received no
s,spatches from Consul Hamm at Du-
rauEo. reporting an armistice at Tor
rem. The state department officials
believe the report from Eagle Pass
based upon the cOnsul's three dis
pafches received here last night They
first reported Nelasco about TO eyacu-
ate the city. then informed the state
department the report was based on
information considered unreliable.
The Mexican embassy received a tel
ezram from Consul Diebold at FL Paso
that Torreon had not fallen.
Chihuahua. Mexico. April 1, 10
o'clock.-Au official statement from
military headquarters here said the
rebels occupy Gomez Palacio. Lardo.
and some OF the outskirts OF Torreon,
and that the federals have fortified
themselves in some of the strongest
tuiliinEs in TOrreOu.
From time 10 time the rebels pene-
trated various parts of the city, with
great sacrifice OF life.
Eagle Pass. Texas. April dis
patches from the American consul at
Durango. forwarded to Washington via
the city. are reported today TO an
nounce that the federal commander at
Torreon offered TO surrender TO Gen
sral villa, that truce has been grant
ed and the opposing commanders met
and -s+e today arranging terms of
espitulation.
General Velssco. It is said. first call I.
ed for a three hours armistice and Of
iered 10 surrender the town il the
garrison could march out with the
honOrs OF war. and il Villa would pa
role officers and guarantee not TO kill
volunteers. as he had threatened
American Consul Blocker. at Piedras .
Negras refused 10 reveal the contents .
Of a dispatch, but admitted that a
message had been received and was I,
forwarded 10 Secretary Bryan
Appalling Loss Of Life.
According TO information from ar
authentic course, Villa had taken the /.
railroad station at Torreon. and the .
past two days was working his way
house 10 house toward the center of
the city. He is said TO have taken
nearly half the town. but the assaults
resulted in an appalling loss of life to
both sides.
Last night General Velasco hoisted
the white flag. il is said, and asked a
three hours truce to present propo-
sition for surrender. The truce was
granted, i is understood. and the fed
eral commander offered to turn over
the city and all military stores il the
lives Of all officers and men we're guar
snteed i
All Railroad Lines Cut
It is reported that Villa at first de-
INJURED. saying many in the garrison,
Including General Orozco, were trait
ors, and must be executed. II is said
another armistice was arranged for
today, however, when Villa will prob
ably accept the offer. All railroad lines
ara cut and il would require several
days for federal reinforcements to ar
rive at Torreon.
FedersIs Hold Barracks.
Juarez. Mexico. April AT l this ,
afternoon General Carranza gave .
statement TO the effect that the fed
erals still hold the general barracks
and two smaller barracks in Torreon.
Inis indicates there has been no ma I
terial changes in the military position 1
OF the city for several days.
A telegram from Gomez Palacio to
General ChaO was copied here. II said
a train OF wounded left there at this
morning. that at that hour fighting
continued II was rumored one of {
nass troop trains was blown up by
aynamite between Saltillo and Tor
reon-
Juarez, Mexico. April 1.-Interest In
ne situation at Torreon, where the !,
sfest battle Of the revolution remains
ihdeeided, became acute today with :,
.eEs that General villa was called on
lesisrday 20 meet a new enemy In the 4,
orni Of federal reinforcements coming !,
rom The east side to the number OF .
our or five thousand men. under Cen .
.fal Joaquin Mas. IL Is reported
,enersl Herrera has been detailed by q
Ma 70 meet the Mas forces and ad-
@hces that the engagement has be-
IN are hourly expected. General
Srranza informed foreign consuls
ere that reports OF the fall Of Torreon
'sre premature.
All Juarez was waiting eXpectantly
nd with some anxiety today for def
its news OF Villas position I'm HIS at
-ek on Torreon- Reports received by c
eneral Carrsnza here late last night ii