Gathering insurgents

Nº 209

AHSRE L-E-953 F. 347

The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona

1º de marzo de 1911

Gathering insurgents

Naco Next Point of Attack by Mexican Rebels

Demand for surrender

Citizens Hurrying across the Line to Douglas Leyva and Berthold in the West Waiting for the War to Come to Them.

Douglas, feb. 28. A telegram reached the third cavalry at 4 o'clock this afternoon that a rebel band of 200 men were encamped in the Magollon mountains just south of the border between Naco and Douglas. The telegram which was filed by the lieutenant commanding a portion of the third cavalry stationed at Naco, stated that the Mexican officials at Naco had officially notified the army officers there to be prepared for an attack.

All the women, children and non combatants, were flocking over to the American side. Up till eight o'clock tonight the rebels had not made an effort to take Naco. As the federal force of 200 regulars and rurales which was sent by special train today to Fronteras have not returned to Agua Prieta tonight, Agua Prieta may be a point of attack from the west. The port is defended only by sixty citizen soldiers.

A heavy rain has been falling continuosly since seven o'clock Monday. A rebel in Douglas today stated that the Fronteras band was headed toward Cananca, with the purpose of joining the rebel sympathizers reported armed there in the last two months, and now awaiting an attack on that camp. A great number of refugees from Fronteras and other points south reached Douglas today. All the Mexican houses are crowded, and some of the refugees are begging only for a place to store their effects.

The bridge which was blown up between Fronteras and Agua Prieta yesterday was repaired today. The wires also repaired, but it is reported that they have been cut again tonight.

“Red” Lopez, the leader of the Fronteras band, which is now southwest of this city, was born in Tucson. His brother was a noted border character, having killed twenty nine men, the last two being Mexicans. He was extradited from the United States, taken over the border and shot by the authorities near Naco.

“Red” Lopez, however, has often befriended Americans in Mexico and is admired. His first office was that of assistant postmaster at Agua Prieta.

Naco invested

Demand for Surrender of the Border Town This Morning.

Douglas, feb 28 A rebel band which is now known to be composed of not less than 300 men, at nine o'clock had drawn a cordon arround Naco, during a heavy rain, and sent notice to the authorities of the town that they must surrender by ten o'clock tomorrow.

There is great excitement in the Mexican half of the town tonight and half of the non combatants are hurrying across the line to the American side. The rebels are within four miles of the town.

Mexican soldiers are hastily throwing up breastworks with which to defend the city which promises to give resistance.

Waiting for a figth

Socialist Insurrectos Return to Mexicali in Numbers.

Mexicali, feb. 28. The insurrectos who left Mexicali last week ostensibly for an attack on Ensenada, have returned to Mexicali, and the entire force of 200 men is again quartered in the bull ring and the cock pit.

Scouting parties are scouring the country to the south and west, watching for the advance of federal troops, which are reported on the way from Ensenada. Simon Berthold is in Mexicali, and together with General Leyva is directing the scouting. Both say they want a fight and are glad to hear that the federals are coming.

The federal advance

Gunboat With Regulars Arrives at Ensenada.

San Diego, feb. 28 Passengers coming to this city by the steamer Manuel Herrerias, which arrived from Ensenada today, report that the Mexican gunboat Guerrero arrived there last Sunday night and landed, but much fewer than 500, the number expected. A report was received in Ensenada Sunday stating that a party of 150 rebels had landed near there. A call to arms was sounded.

While waiting developments a message was sent to San Diego to learn what vessels had cleared Sunday. It was found that Sandoval's yacht, Yankee Girl, was the only boat to leave. Later the Yankee Girl arrived at Ensenada and the crew put an end to the fears of the inhabitants. No rebels could be found anywhere.

More than 100 federal soldiers have left Ensenada within the past week. Those in a position to know believe that this entire force has already passed Tia Juana to the south and is now in camp close to Mexicali, awaiting the main body of the federals, which is to follow them.

An American has been jailed at Ensenada as the result of a dynamite explosion last Friday. The charge destroyed considerable property but caused no loss of life. The American, whose name cannot be learned, was suspected of the crime and promptly jailed. The feeling for Americans along the peninsula is not friendly. No report of Harry Dell, the American suspected of being a spy, has been received.