Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-03-18
RESULT OF BATTLE
CLOTHED IN DOUBT
Nothing But Rumors From
Meeting of HostiIes North
of Torreon, Mex.
FEDERAL AGENTS CLAIM
DEFEAT OF REBEL ARMY
Assert That Gen. Villa Is in Pre-
carious observation-disclosures Dis
credited by Constitutionalists.

Ell PASO, Tex, March 1S.-Thou-
sands of persons in this section whose
fortunes are locked up in the military
and political developments in Mexico
today awaited authentic Information Of
battle reported last night north Of
Torreon. In the last twenty-four hours
exactly fifteen words of press dis
patch seeped through the censor and
over the single telegraph line connect
ing Juarez with the present war zone.
1t was so restricted as to be scarcely
more than an index of what it is as
sumed the censor removed.
Meanwhile federal agents here assert
ed that Gen. Villa, moving confidently
in the direction of Torreon, had sud-
denly come upon the enemy a hundred
miles north of where he had expected
them, and was defeated at Escalon. on
the main line of the railway, and at
Rosario.
If the claims of the federals are cor
rect Gen. Villa had to do battle for
his life, and is still in a precarious
position, with an enemy in front and
another threatening by q flank move
ment to occupy his rear. Federals as
sert, and there were rumors to the same
effect in the rebel camp at Juarez. that
the first federal detachment moved out
of Torreon west of range OF noun
tains. beyond which lies Escalon and
the railroad. This column. proceeding
in the direction of Parral, Is said to
have come upon the reoei genera Ur-
bana at Rosario. and the latter was
forced to retreat pending the arrival
of reinforcements. Rosario is ITO miles
west Of Jiminez. and the latter city is
directly in the rear Of Escalon.
Claim Made by Federals.
The federal attack at Escalon appar-
emily was delayed until the western col
umn, on the other side of the mountains,
had engaged Urbana- Exact Information
as to the fortunes Of this general was
eagerly, though not confidently. awaited
today. Federa:s here claim that not only
was the rebel western column defeated
at Rosario. but that 1t was unable to
prevent the entry of the Huerta troops
into Jiminez. If this proves true, much
retreat with an enemy in front and be-
hind and mountains and the desert on
either side
This feature of the story received little
credence here. Reader belief was found
for the report that the federal forces were
defeated at Bscalon. But 1t is pointed
out that the constitutionalists, by retreat
ing few miles to Bellano. could occupy
rifle pits and trenches constructed in the
course of previous revolutions and there
make a fresh stand.
Number Engaged Not Known.
The number Of men engaged in the
alleged battles can only be guessed at,
and even rumor omits to mention dead
and wounded except in the case OF Gen.
Benavides, reported by Huertaistas here
to have been killed at Escalon. where his
column, the zaragoza brigade of 1900
men. is said to have borne the brunt OF
the federal attack.
1t Is pointed out that the revolutions
of the last four years have shown con-
sistently that 1t takes more than one
engagement to decide a Mexican battle.
The first hint received here OF the i'm
minence Of a battle came Saturday, when
1t was stated that, as all trains were
needed for the transportation Of troops,
the regular triweekly service between
Chihuahua and Juarez would be aban-
doned temporarily. This was taken to
indicate an early move southwark. and
the impression was deepened Sunday,
when the censorship at Chihuahua, which
descended on press dispatches and al
lowed only the briefest paragraphs to
get through. Monday night and yester-
day. with Villas actual departure. the
censor apparently stopped all messages,
except those on official business.
Saharalike waste, and one OF Villas
greatest problems was to assure q water
supply for horses and men. This he
solved by the use of tank cars and
reservoirs.
One Of Worst Deserts in Mexico.
The desert Is one Of the worst in Mex
leo. The cactus alone thrives, and under
the drifting sands the traveller frequently
comes upon the bones Of animals which
persisted from thirst, and even those Of
men, for Gen. Orozco fought over parts
of this country two years ago. His men
suffered terribly from thirst So precious
is the supply OF water regarded by Villa
that he has ordered that none shall be
wasted on such superfuities as bathing
and the cleansing of linen.
Villa is supplied with a wireless outfit,
by means of which he is able to commu-
nicate with Chihuahua and Juarez. The
federals also have stations connecting