Insurgents' cold feet

Nº 205

AHSRE L-E-953 F. 331

The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona

24 de febrero de 1911

Insurgents' cold feet

Problaby No Movement against Ensenada

The boundary's safer

British Residents of Capital of Lower California Hopeful of Intervention in Case of Attack A Closing in Upon Madero.

Mexicali, Feb 28. Ranchers from the southeast reported to the army officers today that the rebel advance had stopped this side of Laguna Salada. This indicates that the heralded offensive movement was merely a foray, and that the campaign against Ensenada is held in suspense probably on account of the fear of the insurrecto leaders as to the dependability of the men of the “American legion”, many of whom are showing signs of disaffection.

Leyva is still here, and says he will problably remain several days. This is taken to mean that be expects Berthold's reported financial mission to Los Angeles will meet with success and be able to meet the demands of the men with money.

Small parties went scouting eastward today. The rebels evidently lack means of securing information, and as a result they are fearful that the Mexican federals will slip up on them from Yuma without warning.

Captain Babcock sent First Sergeant Sorensen on a scout to Coyote Wells, about twenty miles northeast of here today. On his return Sorensen reported that Governor Vega during his retreat had traveled over American territory for safety's sake. Sorensen found ranchers who had fed Vega at points twenty five miles north of the boundary. The ranchers said he had four men with him.

In order better to observe the movements of the rebels, Captain Babcock telegraphed Harry Harkness, a member of the aeronautical reserves of the army at San Diego, asking him to bring an aeroplane. Harkness has not yet replied, but he is expected to come.

The penalty of failure.

Governor of Lower California to be superseded.

San Diego, Cal., feb 23. Celso Vega, for several years governor of Lower California and leader of the recent ill starred expedition against Mexicali, is out of favor with his superiors and will be superseded. This information is brought by a steamer arriving here today from Ensenada. The name of Vega's succesor is not given but he is reported to have reached Ensenada to take over the control.

Vega is recovering from his wounds and is said to feel his position bitterly. He is quoted as saying: “I knew I could not hold Mexicali. It was apparent we could not take the position held by the rebels. When this was actually demonstrated I gave the order for my troops to retreat”.

The force of Captain Cassar, Vega's lieutenant during the late campaign has reached Ensenada. The soldiers are barefooted and poorly fed. There are now 165 regulars at Ensenada besides some Indians and Mexican scouts.

Two Americans were recently tried, in their absence, at Ensenada for aiding the rebels financially. They were convicted and sentenced to death. As they are with the rebels at Mexicali they are safe for the present. At Ensenada there is talk of British intervention to protect the property of British subjects in the event of an insurgent attack. There are several millions of dollars of British capital invested in mines, ranches and other interests in Lower California and the British colony is hoping soon to see the shearwater of a British warship in the harbor of Ensenada.