The Washington times., 1929-03-18
F.DE RAJ s
OCCUPY
4SSssz
TOWN

MEXICO CITY, March IS
lI.N.S. Gen. Plutarco Gales,
secretary of war, who is lead
ing the main force of federals
against Gen. j. Gonzalo Esco-
bars rebel troops, today
stated that he expects to estab-
lish his headquarters in Tor
reon within "a hours, and di-
rect a "mopping up" cam,
paign from there.
Both General Gales and Gen,
Juan Andreu Almazan, commander
of the federal column which pur.
sued the. rebels from the eaMfs
stated in official messages to Presi-
dent Pertes Gil that General Esco.
bars troops were beating hasty
retreat towards Jfnaenez, Chihuahua.
General AImazan also teiegraphad
the president that the vanguard of
his troops had actually penetrated
the outskirts of Torreon and had
met with no resistance.
Federal airplanes are raising
havoc with the retreating rebel
forces by flying over them and
dropping bombs
General Gales expressed the be-
lief that General Escobar would
concentrate his troops at Gomez
Palacio for the purpose OF retreat.
ing to the north.
President Portes Gil stated he be-
Iieved this revolutionary movement
'.would go down in Mexican history
as revolt without a real battle.
BY HARRY G. BERGMAN
NOGALES, Sonora. Mexico, March
Is Q.N.S.l--With heavy fighting
under way in the Torreon. sector.
where according to rebel headauac
ters, Gen. Jose Gonzalo Escobar.
revolutionary generalissimo, has
launched an offensive against Gen
Plutarco Elias. Gales federal army
news of a new battle was expected
nomentarilv today from another
front. -
The long-awaited siege of Me- zat-
Ian Sinaloa. most important sea
port on the west coast Of Mexico,
will begin within 36 hours, if not
already started. rebel leaders ire
dicted early today.
According TO 81 telegram from
Cen. Jose Gonza1o Escobar re-
ceived at the rebel headquarters
here. rebl force attacked federal
nnits from the armies OF Genera IS
Almazan ana Ortiz and furious
~ fE1a} YaSIllfad
! THE rebel commander at San
Toendro claimed to have captured
more than 800 prisoners. He
stated that there were more than
900 casualties in the battle with
tha federals suffering heavy losses
while the rebels lost only six
soldiers and three officers. lie re-
norted the federal Colonels Tafolla
ana Gasillas among the dead.
At rebel headquarters here the
federal occupation of Torreon was
indirectly denied by a statement
which said that the rebel COM
mander at San Pedro had brought
his prisoners back to the former
city.
Ramon Iturbe is now reported clos
ing in on Mazatlan from, the north,
ready to storm fortlflcatlons de'
Tended by "a federal contingent con
sisting OF approximately 2,501
troops under Gen. Jaime Carrillo.
while advance ItuIbe columns under
Gen. Roberto Cruz have taken up
attacking positions near the out
skirts of the city. another reoci
contingent composed OF &approxi.
nnately 900 former Mexican regulars
who are known as the Cara SEQ
division" was reported rapidly ap
preaching Mazatlan from the south.
according to an official military
bulletin issued early today.
With rail lines in the vicinity
destroyed and highways leading out
of The city blocked, the only means
OF federal retreat in case of defeat
was believed to be by water, ac
cOr6ing TO rebel headquarters.
Iturbe warned all foreign vessels
TO leave the harbor, indicating he
intends TO shell the federal battle.
ship Progrego. which was reported
til have arrived at Mazatlan from
Ssu Franpisco for the purpose az
pfcv3ding a means OF escape for
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