New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-29
tBy Telegraph 10 The Tribune.


tBy Telegraph TO The Tribune
Gomez Palacio, Mexico, March D.
The Federal commander at Torreon.
General Refugio Velasco is reported to
have ended his own life in despair, and
two Of his generals have been killed in
battle or were driven TO se.f-destruc-
tion Also. The ranks of the Federal
army are depleted by the Staying Of hun
dreds Of its men, and the city which 1t
defended is practically held by rebels.
Huerta's army in Torreon, notwith-
standing all, still is fighting.
Five attempts Of the Federal army to
escape from Torreon were frustrated
tonight. Three times the Federals ,
tried to force their way out toward
the north, and were driven back each
time. Twice they attempted to get out
toward the east, but found a strong
rebel force opposing them.
There is but one narrow mountain
pass now left. the one to the south.
Villa late tonight established tele-
graphic communication from Torreon
proper, using telephone wires from
Torreon to Gomez Palacio
The general belief at midnight is that
Torreon will be surrendered or viii be
evacuated by the Federals before day
light. -
In no battle fought in Mexico Since
Francisco Madero started his revolt
tion nearly four years ago has there
been such an exhibition of endurance,
such indifference to suffering and such
fortitude in the face of almost certain
defeat as has been shown by the Fed
era army of defence in Torreon.
For days the Federals have been
fighting a vastly superior force in num-
bers, for two days they have been
fighting a losing battle at every point.
but they have given up no point with
out a desperate struggle. and tonight.
surrounded on three sides by ten thou
sand rebels, they are fighting as de-
terminedly and as desperately as in the
first day of the Torreon battle.
Lack of food and water in the Fed
eral army is aiding the rebels tonight
The Federals have lost their water
supply and practically all of the food
supplies, and it appears to be ques-
ton now Of how long they can fight
without food or drink.
Three .iundred FederaIs Killed.
Fifteen hundred trederals under Gen.
eral Argumedo, who had been protect
ing the great Torreon smelter and had
taken no part in the battle in the ciAg,
to-day attempted 20 go to the relieS
of Velasco's force, but were intercepted
by Benavides's brigade on the edge OF
the city and defeated, with loss cf
300 Federals killed. Later. by ruse.
the Federals succeeded in joining the
force in the city.
Confirmation of the killing of two
Federal generals was secured here to-
day. General Ricardo Pena and General
Federico Reyna both either lost their
lives in the fighting n committed sui
eide. General Eduardo Ocaranza, re-
ported killed, was fatally wounded in
the Lerdo battle, as also was General
Andres Alozan. OF the rebel COM
manders General Maxine Garcia his
been mortally wounded, General Trini-
dad Rodriguez has been shot in the leg
and may die, Colonel Juan n. Gutter
rez, former chief Of police in .Chihua-
hua, has been killed.
| Colonel Raoul Madero, brother OF the
late President Francisco !. Madero,
also is among the rebel wounded. He
was shot while leading his command
In an assault on the F'ederals in the
heart OF the city. 1t has not been re-
ported TO headquarters how seriously
he is wounded.
Federals, moving by stealth from tha
western part Of the city, to-day threw
up street barricades of rocks and cotton
bales several blocks further in toward
the centre of the city, and tonight
were holding the new position.
Batteries Strangely Silent
Every Federal battery in Torreon is
silent tonight. The reason is a mat
ter of conjecture here, for late this
afternoon several of the batteries had
not been silenced by the rebels and
there has been no especial effort TO
silence them since.
The possibility of the F'ederals evacu-
ating Torreon is causing worry to rebel
commanders tonight Il has been dis
covered that one pass which had been
overlooked by villa is available 10 the
Federals. Ii leads to the south and
would offer an avenue for escape
should the Federals decide that further