New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-01
Rebels VIII Join Federals
to Resist Invasion.
Gage Thinks.
HUERTA WITHOUT
CHANCE OF SUCCESS
American Troops on Border Not
Sufficient to Prevent Snug
Cling Of Arms.

jacksonville. Fla. Dec. 3l.-Lieuten-
ant Colonel Moreton r. Gage military
attache OF the British Embassy IN
accredited 10 the BRUSH
Legation in Mexico city. viii arri'' III
Washington tomorrow from Mexico
CIV. After max ng an investig tuon
for his government he says MS per
sonal opinion is that American inter
vention is inevitable. The opinion IN
official circles at Mexico city Is mat
the rebel forces. with the exception OF
the Zapatistas. will join the Federa's
in resisting Intervention.
Foreigners in Mexico city are IN no
danger. he says, except in the event 81
Huerta being assassinated, when Tie
criminal element, joining the Zapdtis-
tas. might loot the city, killing foreign
ers ard rich natives. Sons of rich fam
lilies i'm Mexico City refuse to join the
army because the Federal officers are
not of the sar1e social status. Two
hundred and fifty thousand men would
he required for complete Intervention.
sixty thousand could take Mexico City
in six weeks. The others would be re-
ouired for police duty throughout the
country. Cavalry would be required
in large forces.
Little Chance for Huerta.
II is impossible for Huerta to put
down the evolution. Colonel Gage says,
unless the Federals capture the rail-
ways and build block houses mile
apart, putting mobile army in the
field. The same tactics were used IN
the British Boer war. The rurales ne
finds to be a fine body, well mounted
and equipped. This force in Mexico
City and vicinity numbers from l'Ooo
to 5000 men. The new commander m
tends shortly TO begin campaign o.
determination against the Zapatissas
in the federal district, shooting farm
ers suspected of nightly looting. The
rurales are depended upon to defend
foreigners in the event of Huerta S
bowman. SlcDS nav pNNh NN~'
the defence of the British Legation.
Foreigners and diplomats greatly re-
spect Huerta, says Gage. He saw
Huerta and OShaughnessy talking and
laughing together in a cafe. The en-
aggerated reports in the United States
press of rebel successes have given
false and unfortunate impression in
Mexico City that officials and the
American public favor the rebel cause,
according to Colonel Gage. The Fed
erals have orders to respect Foreigners
persons and property. He understands
that rebels killed a German last week,
shooting him from behind. and then.
cutting his cheeks open, smashed his
law with a stone to remove the gold
teeth.
u. S. Border Force Too Small.
The report in Mexico City that the
United States government permits
arms and ammunition smuggling by
rebels was personally investigated by
Colonel Gage. and he was convinced
the report was untrue, but the number
of American troops on the border is in
adequate to prevent smuggling, he said.
The state government of zacatecas
has raised a loan of $4,000 to pay the
Federal troops. who were behind pay
some twenty days. There is a great
deal of discomfort, and last week two
hundred deserted, carrying away arms
and amm ,ition. repair train leaves
Zacatecas daily. attempting TO repair
the railroad line. but the work is de-
stroyed by rebels nightly. The Fed
eral garrison in Zacatecas VIII not
fight i'm the event of a rebel attack in
force. saws Gage. The government VIII
then lose eighty thousand rounds OF
ammunition and machine guns. Ia
catecas is garrisoned by 800. and the
daily pay Is $500 Many Americans
have been robbed and assaulted In the
vicinity OF Zacatecas by rebels.
Felix Diaz is living quietly In Motel
in Havana with two companions, afraid
TO go out since the attack on him.