South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-25
| MEDIAT0RS TURN OVER
JOB TO RIVAL FACTIONS
Negotiations Near Conclusion
at Niagara Falls and Mexi-
cans Will Discuss Pres. HUI
erta'S Terms.
BY JOHN W. ROBERTS.
(Staff CorreSpOndent)

ZACATECAS, Mexico June %
delayed by Censorship.)-G Fran
cisco Villa has achieved the greatest
victory of his remarkable career by
the capture Of this city after five days
of bloody lighting which resulted in
the practical annihilation in one of
the largest and best equipped armies
ever gathered in Mexico by the fed
erals.
Fully 1000 federals were killed in
the fighting, and as many wounded.
Between 5000 and 5000 federals were
taken prisoners by the constitutions
alists. All of these will be enrolled
in Gen. Villas ranks of Gen. Barron's
army of $4,000 men less than 5000
escaped.
Gen. Barron also lost half of his ar
tillery 5000 mauser rifles, a great
quantity of ammunition for rifles and
cannon. is locomotives and 500
freight cars loaded with stores of all
kinds. most of which had been looted.
Planned Evacuation.
The facts that these freight cars
were found loaded was evident that
the federals had evacuation in con-
temptation before the battle began. All
the banks in the city had been stripped
of money and other valuables by the
federals before they fed. and many
of the public buildings had been
blown up with dynamite. The prin-
cipal streets had been mined and the
explosions of these mines cost Villa S
men heavy loss of life.
The city presented a scene of desc
lation and havoc when the triumphant
rebels took possession.
The loss of the attacking army.
while insignificant when compared
with the losses sustained by the de-
tenders, was nevertheless very heavy.
Gen. Villa places the number of rebels
killed at $50 to 600 with possibly 500
wounded. This is a conservative esti-
mate.
Generals Are Wounded.
Among the wounded are Gen. Mac
lovio Herrera, Gen. Trinidad Rodri-
guez and Gen. Ortega, three Of Villas
ablest officers and most gallant fight
ers. IL three probably viii die. Their
loss would be keenly felt by the con-
stitutionalists and Villa would lose
some of his chief mainstays
The federal army defending Zaca-
tecas numbered fully $4,000 men well
armed and supplied with food and
ammunition. They occupied a position
believed by military experts to be
practically impregnable. That Gen.
Barron, the federal commander-in-
chief. felt called upon TO abandon such
a position under such circumstances
was considered as a lack Of confidence
Left Nothing TO Chance.
Gen. Villa in his attack upon Zaca-
tecas, left nothing to chance. While
1t was true that his army outnum-
DeE6O the I6QSIdAS Two 10 one Lit dA-
vantage of position was so strongly in
favor Of the government forces that
some Of the rebel generals were dis
mayed by the task set before them.
But not Villa. With characteristic
optimism and enthusiasm he inspired
his men and his own courage upon the
firing line heartened the troops when
the federal fire was hottest.
Zacatecas is surrounded by hign hills
upon which the federals had estab-
lished earthworks Heavy cannon
were mounted upon these fortihcations
and the trenches were filled with am
munition.
The only approach 10 this mining
city. the largest and richest in the
Mexican gold and oil district was
through a deep canon.
The only important points in north
ern Mexico remaining in federal
hands are Aguas Calenties Qualero.
San Luis PotOsi and Guadalajara.