New-York tribune., 1920-05-16
Fled Battle Zone,
Fearing Capture
Carransa Sought NeaU
Refuge as Rebels Plan
ned for Grand Attack

j
Carranza, who, with loyal followers,
has been fighting grim battle against
revolutionary forces near San Marcos
for the last five days, has escaped cap
ture, at least temporarily, according to
dispatches from the battle zone.
Accompanied by 900 Of his men. the
Preside Sat has broken through the in
surgent lines near Chalchicomula
about fifty miles east of Puebla, and is
believed to be in the mountainous coun-
try between Puehla and OaXaca. He
left behind him force of government
soldiers, which is still fighting in an
effort to delay pursuit.
Generals Higinio Agular and
Guadalupe Sanchez, at the head Of
large units of revolutionary troops.
Thursday were preparing for n grand
attack, according to q captain who ar
rived here yesterday from the scene Of
the fighting. Later dispatches seem to
indicate that Carranza feared this at
tack would be successful, and he de-
cided to slip through the encircling
lines of his enemies, leaving Generals
Murguia and Urquizo to meet the on
s'aught of the insurgents. Before
taking refuge in flight Carranza is
said to have destroyed trains still held
terial too heavy to be carried away
Serious lighting probably has oc-
CURED since Carranza left the battle
zone, as dispatches say prisoners have
been captured by attacking forces.
Carranzistas Move Southwark
Reports from Chalchicomula yester-
day showed quite clearly that Car
ranza's men were working their way to
/ bo r,1fb u 81, I'd of
ing in their original positions north of
San Marcos. 1t would seem this move
ment may have been part of the
Presidents plan Of breaking out of the
trap that was closing about him, for it
was on this side of tile battle zone
that Carranza escaped. Fighting was
reported about six miles from Chalchi-
comula, which meant an advance down
the railroad toward this city Of about
nineteen miles in the last few days.
General Sanchez threw his forces
into the struggle Thursday afternoon,
but was repulsed after hard fight
General Libcrato Lara Torres, one of
the chief lieutcnants Of General San
chez, was fatally injured while lead
ing his men in a hand-to hand combat,
receiving a sword wound in the neck
He was taken to Orizaba, where he
died yesterday.
Carranza's troops were we'll supplied
with artillery and machine guns, and
revolutionary infantry and cavalry met
perfect barrage Of shells and bullets
as they advanced to the attack Two
of Carranza's trains were taken and
burned, but government forces were
able to stop the advance and after
four hours of fighting the insurgents
retired. Heavy losses were inflicted
on both sides during the combat, it is
reported in dispatches to Gel Dicta-
men"
The American transport Portland
and the British cruiser Cambran ar
rived here to-day
Advices from the battlefield are
silent as to the safety of W. A. Body,
British Consul in this city, and two
American citizens, who are believed to
have been with President Carranza
when the fighting started early this
week.
Battle in State of Puebla
Ell PASO, Tex, May 15.-A battle be-
tween Mexican troops under General
Francisco Murguia. protecting Presi-
dent Carranza, and the Constitutional
lists in the State of Pueba was re-
ported in messages received by Mexi-
can revolutionary agents here to-day
fr.'l Adolfo de la Huerta, supreme
commander Of the movement.
The telegram said Murguia was at
tempting to hold back the rebels while
his chief escaped to the mountains with
al. escort of 800 men. Rebel agents
here said they believed Carranza had
not been captured.