Agua Prieta threatened

Nº 216

AHSRE L-E- 953 F. 366 bis

The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona

10 de marzo de 1911

Agua Prieta threatened

An Attack Upon It Expected Last Night.

It came as by magic

A Force of Rebels Consisting of Three Bands Which Eluded the Search of the Federals Douglas in a State of Excitement.

Douglas, march 9. The rebel bands of Juan Cabralo, “Red” Lopez and Bracamonte, after eluding Colonel Mora's federal soldiers in the Ajo Mountains, surprised both the government and the people of Douglas tonight at 9 o'clock by suddenly showing up before Agua Prieta. The wildest excitement followed in both Douglas and Agua Prieta, the Mexican population rushing to the American side in long ranks of refugees, while the Americans started toward the international line afoot, in automobiles, buggies and on horseback in expectations of seeing a fight.

Captain Fred Johnson of Troop M., Third cavalry, immediately ordered his troopers to the border, and the cavalry is now riding the line the entire distance between the Mexican and American cities. The Mexican authorities at Agua Prieta have issued orders that any person crossing the line will be shot. The order is not known to Americans, who have been permitted to cross reguraly. On account of the great danger at this time the American line riders are busy imparting the news of this order. As if by magic a great number of Mexicans who have been refugees in this city flocked to the border. One small army of 150 gathered just above the Mexican guardhouse at a ditch where there was a barrier of vehicles at the international line. They were not supposed to be armed but it is supposed that they were massed to join the rebel force the moment the rebels rushed Agua Prieta. The American troopers therefore immediately surrounded the band and placed them under arrest. They will be brought to Douglas and held till morning at least.

Blanco's forces are reported just a few miles to the southeast, and it is thought that Blanco and Cabralo are acting in conjunction for the capture of Agua Prieta tonight or in the morning.

Agua Prieta is not prepared to oppose the combined forces. The city has only fifty troops, half of them citizen soldiers, and no machine guns. Sand bags were placed on the roots of the houses yesterday and the customs house is protected by adobe battlements on the roof.

No trenches have been dug around the city. There is a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition in Agua Prieta, as it has been the base of supplies for troops coming and going. Nothing is known in Agua Prieta of the whereabouts of Comorra and his little army and from Lopez's appearance before Agua Prieta; it appears that he was out generaled. It is known that many of Mora's troops deserted after leaving Agua Prieta for the Ajo mountains campaign. When he left here he had 200 soldiers, including a company from Cananea and a company from Hermosillo.

Comisario Laborio Vasquez in busy at headquarters for the defense of the city. He has stuck to his post tonight and the soldiers in the town have shown no disposition to give up the city without a fight.