New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-01
JUAREz HEARS OF
TORREON'S FALL
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Continued from first page.
that his army had been trapped and al
most annihilated. Frantic efforts to
get in touch with Villa and 10 get def
rite information had failed throughout
the afternoon. and when the report was
circulated that Torreon had been capt
ured rebel officials hoped it was true
but doubted it.
Whether Torreon has been taken by
Villa, as appears now or still is held
by Velasco and his determined but
greatly reduced Federal force. the bat
lie NAV be recorded as the greatest ever
fought in Mexico.
With all plans made TO leave here to-
night for chihuahua City 10 establish
his provisional government there, Gen
eral Carranza has announced the post
ponement of his departure for at least
a week. Absence of definite news OF
conditions at Torreon caused the
change in plans.
Half Dozen Reports Of Fall.
Villa finally captured Torreon at 80
o'clock this afternoon, if half dozen
reports from as many sources, and all
bearing the appearance OF authenticity
are TO be believed
After a day Of suspense, and when
hope practically had been abandoned
by rebel officials in Juarez, dispatch
from chihuahua was received at Cen
eral Carranza's headquarters announc-
ing the capture of Torreon and stating
that official confirmation Of the report
had been received there. Soon another
dispatch came stating that American
Consul Letcher had been advised ty
American Consul Ham. in Durango, Of
the fall of the city, and still later Vice
Consul G. &. Carothers, who mas been
at Gomez Palacio since the opening Of
the Torreon battle. was said to have
wired confirmation.
At > o'clock this afternoon American
Consul r. D. Edwards, in Juarez, was
advised Of the capture of the city by
Villa.
Juarez at first could not believe the
news. Official announcement ny rebel
officials was received at first with
doubt Extra editions of FL Paso pa
pers reached the Mexican border towns
with stories OF the rebel success before
the people fully had recovered from
their surprise. Then Juarez went wild.
No such scenes had been witnessed in
the city since its capture by Madero.
No Details in Dispatches.
Details Of the surrender of the city to
Pancho Villa were not given in any of
the earlier dispatches 1t was not
had succeeded in making their escape
from the besieged city or had surren-
dered. Previous reports had said that
General Refugio Nelasco. commanding
the Torreon Federals, had become in
sane from the strain and that he and
three of his officers had committed sui
eide. Those upon whom fell the re-
sponsibility then for the defence of tn"
city. it was said saw the hopelessness
of resistance and made a conditional
offer of surrender the condition being
that Villa should grant amnesty TO all
the Federals, both officers and men.
IL was supposed in Juarez that Villa
had accepted the terms OF the surren-
der and that the Federals had laid
down their arms, but neither the peo-
pie Of Juarez nor the officials at rebel
headquarters cared how or why it was
done. The mere fact that Villa had
captured Torreon was sufficient, and
their rejoicing knew no bounds.
Reports reaching rebel headquarters
late this afternoon. but from unofficial
sources, said that Villas mon had
forced their way into the main curatels,
or barracks. held by the Federals in
Torreon. and that the Federals had
fought TO the end, had made no effort
10 escape. and had quit lighting only
when forced TO do so or suffer eXter-
mination.
Efforts to Reach Villa.
only from Chihuahua did the early
report Of the fall OF Torreon reach
Juarez. nothing came from villa and
nothing from his men at Gomez Palacio.
Earlier i'm the day 1t had been said in
Juarez that the wire was working only