Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-05-15
Zapata Attacks Federals
at Topilejo, Is Miles
South of Mexico City
By Associntcd Press

Vera Cruz, May 15.-Credible pri-
vate advices from Mexico City report
that the Federals at Topilejo. eighteen
miles south of the capital, were at
tackled yesterday by the Zapatistas.
No details of the fighting were re-
ceived but the incident is regarded as
an important development by the au-
thorities here.
Topilejo has been the scenes of nu-
merous clashes during the last few
months and the engagements are usu-
ally indeciSiVe since the FederalS never
attempted to follow the retreating Ia
patistas. 1t is not considered that the
new activity there indicates any inten-
ton of Zapata attack on the capital
as the reported agreement between "a
Data and villa to move jointly against
Mexico City Is credited here.
The attack will serve, however, to
compel Provisional President Huerta
to strengthen his southern line at the
expense of the northern front, or per-
haps OF the oUtposts toward Vera
Cruz.
The reported departure of the Fed
cral gunboats from their anchorage
with the American ships off Tampico
is believed to be the result of a desire
or the part of the commanders to
communicate with Mexico City from
Puerto Mexico by the only telegraph
wire open to them. They are probably
seeking instructions as to what dis
position to make of the ammunition-
less gunboats which are virtually use
less since the fall of Tampico.
Gunboats to Be Watched
1t is understood that the TWO Amer
lean destroyers are conveying the gun
boats to see that the coaStwise lights
and other aids to navigation are not
molested. Wherevei the gunboats are
finally sent they will be kept under
surveillance by Americanships until
some settlement in the disturbed
country is reached.
Word has reached here foreshadow-
ing the approach of a critical moment
in the capital. British subjects from
the interior, it is staetd, have been
gathered in the concentration districts
in the foreign residential quarters of
Mexico City, where it was determined
long ago they would protect them
selves against whatever arose. More
British nationals are reported arriving
by every train, while others are has
tening toward the coast.
The Britishers are amply supplied
with arms and ammunition despite
earlier rumors that weapons had been
taken from the legation and from resi-
dents by order of General Huerta.
Ready For Siege
The German and Austrian defense
organization is also ready to stand a
sige and those nationels, according to
report, are being gathered.
Apparently the feeling is general
among all foreigners that the next few
days will see a tumult of revolt in the
capital since a movement into the dis
ricts was planned to occur only when
the situation became critical and the
adoption of a method of self-protec-
ton was an absolute necessity.
No official notice has been received
here of the movement into the con-
centration districts, but the report to
that effect is general among the for
eigners and the recent determine ton
of Great Britain again to call upon
her nationals to get out of the danger
zones supports the rumor.
Place For Nelasco
General Nelasco, who was defeated
at Torreon with heavy loss and was
himself wounded, has been ordered
out of the capital to assume the mil
tary governo orship of San Luis Potosi
Many here regard the appointment
as significant since rumors have been
current that General Velasco is deepIy
involved in military plot against
General Huerta. Nelasco has not vel
recovered from his wounds and hi