New Britain herald., 1923-12-20
Does Not Want U. 5. To Make Proposals As That Would Im- ply Recognition of insurgents BelGger- ency.
Dispatches From Front In- dicate That Federals Are Temporarily Victorious in Crucial Battle of Rebel lion.

Mexico City, Dec. 2o.--Enrique Colunga, secretary of the interior, de- nying reports that Washington had offered to mediate with those rebell- ing against the 0bregon government, said: "MeXico has not officially re- ceiyed the proposition which would have been rejected as it would imply recognition of the rebels belliger- ency."
 Federals Victorious
 The rebel advance against Mexico City from Vera Cruz has apparently been checked, for the moment at least, near San Marcos, s5 miles east Of the capital, where a Mexico City dispatch says the fate Of the re- bellion is being decided.
 Revolutionary headquarters in Vera Cruz claim the federals have with drawn toward the capital, but this is not borne out by newspaper corres- pondents on the scene, who report that the situation has remained stationary since Tuesdays fighting, with the ad- vance guards of the opposing forces In contact near San Marcos.
 President Obregon, in Il message 10 the Associated Press, brands the rebels claim as false and says he has treason to believe that peace will be restored very quickly"
 A federal thrust from the south in an effort to cut the railway line be- tween Vera Cruz and the rebel armies is reported in movement by General Juan Dominguez over the railway from santa Lucrecia, with Cordoba and orizaba as his obJccitNca
 In the western area the Mexican war department says the operations against Guadalaiara, the rebel strong hold, are developing formally"
 200 Reported Killed
 Mexico City, Mex, Dec. ia.--tDe- layed, by the Associated PresS - Rebels attacking Villa Hermosa. cap- ital of the state of Tabasco. have been defeated after 30 hour battle with inc loss of 900 killed and more than that number wounded. according to an official bulletin issued by the war department
 The defending federals under Gen. eral Ninccnte Gonzalez, military com mandor in Tobasco, fought gallsntiy and suffered 30 casualties. according 10 his report. The rebels hed. leaving their dead and wounded and large quantities of war material
 General Eugenio Martinez, com- manding a military column, marching upon Vera Cruz, reports no further developments during the day, accord ing to the war department communi- que. General Martinez is sending to Mexico City 55 prisoners taken during skirmishing about San Marcos"
 Military operations against Guada- lajara arc developing formally" con- eludes the war department statement.
 Judging from the previous derth Of official and unofficial statements if was thought military operations against Vera Cruz, Puebla and Gaud- aiajara were entering a quiescent pe- riod. although reports of negotiations in an attempt to reconcile the war ring elements as well as reports of preparations for a general advance continued in circulation.
 Fighting Resumed
 News despatches from Apizaco, s6 miles from here, state that fighting has been resumed on the outskirts of Puebls and Esperanza, while Tehua- can has been evacuated by the forces under General Fortunate Maycotte and occupied by federal column. Puebla is 63 miles southeast of Mexi- co City.
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