The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-05
Defeated Federal Leader May Take Stand at
 N Pedro
CARRANZA PHONES
 TO GENERAL VILLA
Fresh Supplies to Be Hurried South for Prospective Attack-Not Be- lieyed Federals Can Win
 Engagement

Juarez. Mex. April 1.-The rebels have still another battle to fight if they wish to annlhilate the federal army which He'd Thursday night from Torreon, say those ficers
 While the odds are said to be in the rebel favor, an admission of General Car ranzas tonight was considered significant It was that his telegraphie conference with General Villa concerned the sending of additional troops and supplies to San Pedro and Parras, where General Vel saco. the federal commander. led his troops from Torreon.
 There is no news from San Pedro. because the federals in their retreat cut all the wires and burned the telegraph poles. We are hoping that courier will arrive at Torreon or Gomez Palacio with news.n said General Carranza.
 While there is no disposition to in sinuate that Nelasco can defeat the elated rebels with the remnant of an army whose spirits have been affected by defeat and great hardships, it is pointed out that he probably will be able to nflict considerable damage.
 National Defense
 The hills among which-<he has dis tributed his men are said to offer strong natural defenses and there always is the chance of his being reinforced from Mon terey, Saltillo or the south. Previous re- ports placed the number of the pursuing rebels at 400 and the fact that the Car ranza-Nila conference concerned rein forcements is said to indicate one of two r1. proportions is expected, or that the rebel, are attempting to minimize their own prospective losses by bringing overwhelm- ingly superior numbers to bear. Had Villa been able to block Guaraohe canyon at Torreon, It is said the federal army might have been capturee then and there. but his forces were insufficient to guard all egress while attacking the city as well.
 l Chihuahua Mex. April 4--When Gen eral Villa took Torreon he took only 90 prisoners alive and unwounded, accord ing to information received here today. Whether this means many were executed, or that General Refugio yeiasco. the crip- pied but valiant federal commander es- caped with nearly all of his army not dead disabled. could not be learned. However. 1t is known that he made the first few miles of his escape on troop trains which he abasldoned when he came to the first place where the rails had been removed. This circumstance is cen strued in favor of the reports that he got away with the remnant of his army intact.
 A dispatch from an Italian army cf- ficer with the rebel artillery received to- day from Torreon says:
 Dead Piled High
 Dead horses and dead men are piled high in the streets and plaza and the ruins of the city are spattered with flood. It is impossible to estimate the number of federal dead. but superficial inspec- tion of public places would indicate that not less than 20o0 bodies are scattered about. It will be a task to get rid of the dead, but gigantic funeral pyre probably will be built and the bodies of men and animals incinerated Among the dead arc some of the picked rurales who fought against Zapata in the south who were sent north to attempt to check Villas victorious march. When Villa entered the city only the 90 who were made prisoners remained to tell the tragic story of their defeat. During the close of the fighting Thurs day, when the federal garrison saw de- feat was certain, they threw down their arms and took to flight
 The Italians account of the number Of dead is not relied on here Consular Agent Powers of Parral. who was arrested charged with passing coun- terfeit money, still Is under charges. but is at liberty on parole Marion Letcher consul here. demanded that Powers be given an immediate hearing. but Manuel Chao, military governor of the state. has not found time to comply owing to the press of other duties in connection with the battle of Torreon.
 As to Villas future movements, local strategists say they believe that, hav- ing rested and refitted his army, he will proceed simultaneously against Satiio 
 (C0ntinued on Page Thirfeen.)