Rushing troops to crush out rebellion

N° 144

AHSRE L-E-936 FF. 110.1 y 110.2

San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco, California

29 de junio de 1908

Rushing troops to crush out rebellion

Government of Mexico Moving Against the Rioters of the North. Many bridges are burned

United States Officers on the Border Ordered to Be on Alert.

EL PASO, Tex., june 28-Fifteen hundred troops have arrived in Torreon to protect that city from the expected attack by revolutionists and the Americans are preparing to send their families to the United States for safety, according to reports brought here tonigth by the passengers on the Mexican Central.

It is reported than the revolutionist have atacked the village of Matamoros, Coahuila, about fifteen miles from Torreon, and have occupied that town. Official advices relative to sending troops to Torreón say that with the forces already stationed there the town is "impregnable".

In Chihuahua there is considerable alarm among the citizens, and guards numbering from twenty to twenty-five soldiers in a single patrol are continually passing through the streets. A great many extra police have been sworn in to do guard duty. Booth jails of Chihuahua are protected by reinforced guards and troops are stationed on the roofs of public buildings.

Guard public buildings

Two hundred of the Eighteenth Battalion Mexican Infantry, commanded by Colonel Luis Ballesteros, arrived tonight in Juarez, across the river from here and will be distributed in the vicinity of that town. These reinforcements make an aggregate of 500 soldiers stationed in Juarez. Mayor Mateus, in interview this evening, declared that no trouble in Juarez was anticipated, and that the Eightheen Battallion had been sent to the border simply as a precautionary measure. Guards are stationed around the jail and public buildings of Juarez, and the arrival of reinforcements is probably responsible for a rumor that Juarez officials are informed of a plan to attack that city.

Governor Cardenas of Coahuila has telegraphed the Governor of Durango notifying him that a number of the men responsible for the recent disturbances in his State have fled to Durango, and requesting all possible assistance in apprehending the fugitives. Three battalions of regulars, sent by the federal Government to Viesca, arrived there today.

Rebels burn bridges

Information brought here tonight by passengers in the incoming Mexican Central train is that all bridges and approaches to Torreon on every road except the Mexican Central have been burned. The international line out of Torreón, on which is located the town of Matamoros, reported to be In the hands of revolutionist, has suffered heavily, and the Coahuila and Pacifica is entirely tied up as the result of depredations committed by revolutionist. A pay train on the Coahuila and Pacifico was attacked Friday night soon after leaving Torreon, but the crew succeeded in running the train back to Torreon and escaping.

There is a general movement of troops from Mexico city to the north, according to news received here, and re-enforcements are begin rushed to Jimenez, which is said to be still in the hands of revolutionist.

Attack mayor's home

Saltillo (Mexico), june 28- Three companies in Saltillo of the seventh Regiment stationed in Saltillo, under the command of Major Cervantes, where ordered to Viesca, this State, where according to Mexican reports received an attack was made upon the residence of Major Tomas Zertuche, several persons being killed. The family of senor Zertuche is reported to have escaped.

The rioters numbering about 200, cut the telephone wires and tore up the rails of the Coahuila and Pacifico Railroad between Viesca and Torreon. A passenger train to the division was held up al Parras. The cause of the riot is not known, but it is presumed that dissatisfaction with the major is the cause of the trouble. The local companies of cavalry left on a special train for the scene of the trouble.