The Washington times., 1929-03-14
Circle of Foes Hem ] n
Rebels Who Are Massed
For Defense at TOrreOll

NsAAA1NS
MEXICO, CITY, March Ia u.N.s.l
It was reported here this after
noon that the vanguard Of Gen
Juan Andreau Almazan's federal
army is approaching the rebel out
posts on the Torreon front.
General Almazan's forces, which
occupied Saltillo yesterday, are re
ported to be moving upon the Tor
reon sector over the northern route
from Monterey.
General Almazan is believed 4
Z have between 5000 and 5000 troops
both infantry and cavalry.
Lieut.. Col. Pablo Sidar made .
scouting flight over the whole Tor
geon district during the morning.
He reported to Gen. Plutarcc
Elias Gales. the federal commander,
that the rebels in that zone ap
narently tetaled about 5000 men.
He said they had constructed 81
elaborate system Of entrenchnnents
and barricades and evidently IL
tended to defend their positions to
A concerted four.sided federal at
tack upon Gen. Jose Gonzalo tIsco
bars rebel troops was expected TO
day.
Secretary of War Plutarco Gales
plans call for simultaneous often
sives upon the rebels from the
northeast, east, southwest anq
south.
The rebels have concentrated for
the expected attack. Unless the
rebels retreat into the State of Chi
fluahua, as 1t was reported here
they plan to do, battle which viii
probably decide the outcome OF the
revolution may result.
Rebels Outnumbered
Upwards OF $4,000 federal troops
win participate in the combined at
Z tacks.t Estimates OF the strength
Of the rebels vary from 1000 u
more than 12,o00s
General Juan Andrea Almazan
whose forces occupied Saltlllo yes
terday, is sweeping up northWarc
at the head OF 5000 troops He
intends to yeer to the southwest g
attack the rebels from the rear aho
y u \ "a
General Saturnino Cediilo IL NOV
Ing, westward with 1900 troops
According Co reports received here
from HiDofito. General Cedillo cap
fured between 1000 and 1000 rebels
who. were retreating from Saltillo
This report was not confirmed b
the government spokesman.
no Attack Center
General Lazaro Cardenas IL ad
ivaneing from the south through
Zacatecas. His force totals 5000
men.
The vanguard OF General Gales
main body OF federal troops is ap
~ sroacting Durango under the com
i1aild 81 General Manuel Medina
!. Veytia. This column, expects t.
drive the rebels from the city and
continue northeast against General
y Eacobar's defenses on the TorreoE
front.
General Gales has established his
headduarters at Frio. Zacatecas, q
Il mali town on the branch line o.
the Mexican Central Railway about
half way between Canitas ana the
city Of Durango,
Federal commanders reported ina
about so rebels were killed OF
wounded in slxirmishes at the vari
Gus points Of contact OF the op
posing forces.
Feels Confident
General jaime Garlic il still hold
ing the port Of Mazatlan in sinalos
DESPITE the ever present threat O
General Robert Cruz's rebel force O
5000 men.
President Pcrtes Gil again ex
pressed conf denee IN the ability o
the FEDERAL forces to subdue tht
rebels within the next ten or y
lie stated that General Escobar''
forces would Be hemrned n and dis
Taeaabered today and that after tina
n would only. be q matter Of pursu
Ing and rounding up helpless band'
Of fieeing rebels, Il
The communities iors systeIn q
Mexico, railroad, telephone and
telegraph. Is gradually being
restored Is normal conditions &c
tordiilg 10 advices reaching ths
State Department today from con
Bular sources IN Me4lCQe
Additional American troops havs
been dispatched to the vicinity q
Naco, ARK. to reinforce those al
ready there In guarding the city
and protecting the Bishee watsl
supply. Maj. Gen. William Lassitel
advised ME War Department today
SAN LUIS PoToSI, Mexico
March Ia Q.N.S.l--A sharp en-
gagement between federal and rebe
troops opened shortly before moor
today just outside this city. Thu
engagement opened with q brisi
rattle of rifle fire..
General Julian Garlic, commando
OF the, federal garrison. mobiles
his forces and marched them on
4 . meet the enemy as soon as tn
Advance units Of the rebels haa
engaged the federal outposts.
san Luis Potosi Is about half way
between Mexico City and Torreon
where the main forces Of the Mex
lean army are concentrates. M
previous dispatches have referred Il
T.. 4 q