The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-22
Federal rnrsi,,cations Fail.

ELL PAS9, TEkAsS. March L.
Fighrifsg at Torreon began this after
moon. The rebels closing in from
Berrnenllo and aapirni. each only
twef4y-seven miles EAST from Tcrreors.
Between these points and Torreofl,
Through the rrgou ata.n passes bsstN esSIl
MApirn4 and Torrson, ard covering the
agricultural country between Bernie
1llo and Torreoft, the fedoralS hare
their fortificataons shattered
Slowly. but surely. Vilfa has driver,
In every federal outpost, until he now
may be said 10 be attacking TorTeon
itself. fer afapimi and BermejiIlo arc,
but suburbs Of the strategic city OF
north central Mexico
Villa himself occupied Bsrrnetflin
this morning, having repaired the de-
atroyed railroad south TO that point.
General Ag4sr Benavidess one of his
commanders, occupied Tiahasasalilo
west of Bernejlllo about fifteen miles
AWAY. and General Garcia moved In
to Map!Irgi, between Tiaha,liililo and
Torieon
After talking and threatening for
four months, rancho villa and his army
are now making good their declaration
10 attack the city which. IL II falls
fnso their hands, viii prove virtually
the key to the Mexican capital
II the rebels are able To carry the
city hv assault after the hoasted I'm
pregnahie federal defense, II Will In
dictate the weakness of Huertas sup
port. IL General Refugio Velasco. the
federal commander of Torreon. is I'M
able to hold tho place against the
rebels. II lis a foregone conclusion that
the federRls will he unable TO make
n successful stand elsewhere until they
are backed against the wall" In the
national capital itself. Thus the pres
emf b3rTte rs the most important OF
the present revolution.
Torreon is the easiest fortified of all
the Mexican cities between the inter
national border and the Mexican CAPT
tai. Huerta has been months In which
TO concentrate the best OF his availa-
bile flghting men TO the defense OF the
town He also had time 10 fortify
the place In every possible manner
with mines and other means Of resist
ance, and has been able to send In
and place plenty of artillery.
The Real Test.
Therefore. the battle VIII be a real
test of strength. II the federals are
unable TO stop the rebels, it Is certain
that villa will not be stopped until he
reaches Mexico City. IL then.
Villa and his rebel lieutenants real
1xe the Importance of capturing Tor
It.n. and haxc made every possible
PREPARATION for the supreme efforts OF
their brief. but successful, military
careers. With forty pieces OF artil
iery the rebels have prepared for long
range lighting. This artillery. thus fan
In the campaign. has served the same
purpose that Huerta's, artillery did
two years ago. when his army drove
Oroxco back The federal outposts en-
cuuntercd by villa in moving south
have mainly been infantry. His can
non mounted on trains, Villa has used
with good effect in driving the fed
erals back.
Mountains protect Torreon on the
west, and northwest. and from these
the federals are able to use their
long range guns on the rebels as they
atta,I from the level country north
east and east On these hills the fed
erals also have guns commanding the
passes entering the city from the west
and northwest. and the railroad from
the north. and 1t will be with great
difficulty, If at all. that the rebel army
can get into the place except across
tbs level country, which consists of IL
riGated cotton fields, into which the
federals have recently turned on
weter. This will nire the cavalry and
art,ilery of the rebels, and hamper
their entry very largely.
The rebel east flank reacned the
outskirts of this level country today
and opened the fight with their, long
range guns, The federals replied in
kind, but did not send out any cavalry
or infantry for open battle.
To Let Rebels Attack.
Apparently General Velasque2
means to let the rebels do the attack
Ing. and depend wholly on being able
i ID resist the min his Notifications
i ThusA IL he can hold Off the rebels
\ ne viii be able. to kill many Of their