The Alaska citizen., 1914-02-16
WAR SITUATION
 IN OLD MEXICO

of advices fror & General Rancho Villa, leader Of the rebel forces in Northern Mexico. inf f1rming the gov ernment that every effort is being made 10 capture the Castillo ban dits who are suspected of causing he Great Cumbre tunnel wreck, which resulted in the death of d number of Americans.
 Villa announces that he has dis patched 1000 soldiers in search of he notorious gang
 MEXICO CITY, Feb. 9.-The anxi- sty of British Minister Garden to save for President Huerta the D si- ion he now holds at the head of he republic was explained today when the American embassy learned that Garden is heavily interested in the Pearson syndicate. which controls the oil market in Mexico.
 lt is understood that Garden was taken into the company by Lord Cowdray. and it is well known that since that time he has been an ar lent supporter of President Huerta who must be Ytained in office in order for the syndicate to retain its ra}uable concessions and acquire neH land,
 Since the commencement of hos tiities. Garden has been working against the United States. and on several occasions he has permitted his rers nal affairs to come between himself and his home government.
 MEXICO CITY, Feb. 9.-Without ;+ he. oi bo+ he fate of President Huerta and the federal government is hanging in he balance Before the end of the present week 1t should be known whether or not the rebels have suf ficient strength to take the capitol, for the opposing armies are now TT wding about the city and the final clash must come within a few days.
 At the present time an attack is in progress at Tampico and at Tor reon a momentous battle is expected momentarily. At the latter place, he rebels are still maneuvering for favorable opportunity to strike,
 The rebels are also active at sev- eral points near the capital. and the fall of any one Cf the federal positions will weaken all of the others.
 The most important occurrence of he day is the desertion Of General trgeles. This veteran leader has left the service of the gOvernmen rith many of his followers and he $ nv prepa ring to attack Mazatlan.
 Preparations for the proteation of his city against the advancing re bel hordes are progressing steadily but there is little more that car 1e done.
 MEXlCO CITY. Feb. g. - Roiolf0 Reyes, former minister of justice and one of the deputies imprisoned It the time President Huerta dis lved congress, was released from prison today, at the instance Of the Investigating court, in whose hands he matter was placed by the presi- lent.
 Reyes was thrown into prison las November, together with the other deputies, on suspicion that he was ! rebel sympathizer.
 WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 10.- Arrangements have been made for conference between President Will son and Sir Edward Garden, British minister to Mexico. who is now on his way to the American capital.
 In view of the fact that Garden while in Mexico went out of his
 az to dscredit the United States his coming to this country at this time is matter of particular in crest to Americans. He is coming confer with President Wilson or the present status Cf the Mexican situation.
 MEXICO CITY, Feb. 10.-Fearing the worst President Huerta has sur rounded himself with trusted troops and is quietly awaiting the coming of the rebels. Every precaution has been taken to prevent the assassina ion of the dictator, and throughout he city preparations have been made Tor deadly struggle with the attack ng forces. wh0 are expected before he end of the week.
 MEXICO CITY, Feb. 11.-President Huerta is the uneasiest man in Mex C today His chief source of Wor ry is the fear that the friends of the late President Madero will at -empt to aVenae his assassination by attacking the present head Of the nation. The palace is surround ed by picked troops and special pre- rautions have been taken t1 protect the president Today is the ami versary of Madero's death.
 FL PASO Tex. Feb. l1.-Accord ing to advices received here today from the Mexican side, Bandit Gas tillio and his notorious gang have been captured and executed by Gen. eral Villas soldiers who started in pursuit of the desperadoes immedi ately following the destruction of he Grea- Cumhre tunnel on the Mexican & Northwestern railroad.
 The reports state that Castillo and six of his followers were taker at Chocolate pass, where they had taken refuge. and without the for mality of trial of any sort, they were promptly executed.
 There appears to be no doubt the guilt of the bandits, Villas men claiming to have ob- tained positive proof that the tunne' was destroyed by them with the object of footing the train, whicr they supposed contained consid- erable sum of money.
 The American authorities are awaiting official confirmation of the capture from General Villa.
 NEW ORLEANS, Feb. 12.-Senor Meijarego, a personal friend of Presi- dent Huerta, who has just arrived