Taking of Agua Prieta

Nº 219

AHSRE L-E-953 F. 399 y 399 bis

The Arizona Republican, Phoenix, Arizona

16 de marzo de 1911

Taking of Agua Prieta

It is More Than Feared Early This Morning

Spectacular maneuvers

Movements of Troops at Niggerhead Mountain Indicated a Problable Battle Before Daybreak Near the United States Line.

Douglas, march 15. A federal force of 400 men and Blanco's force of rebels tonight are only two miles apart. A battle is imminent but may not take place until morning although it is possible tonight in the bright moonlight. The place is Niggerhead mountain on the border, nine miles east of here.

The information was telephoned here by Lieutenant Stirling, commanding a detachment of the third cavalry, at San Bernardino ranch. Captain Johnston immediately ordered out the troops and there was an exodus of citizens. At the same time the Mexican soldiers at Agua Prieta made hurried preparations and infantry and cavalry were soon marching toward the prospective scene of battle. From the high ground around Niggerhead mountain the American cavalry sightseers watched the progress of the federals approaching the foothills.

The federal forces formed into a battle line and the cavalry scouts on the flanks in advance of the federals, evidently believed they were almost upon the enemy. Off to the east along the ridges could be seen the rebelscouts galloping back to Blanco's camp upon having observed the federals. The bright moonight playing upon the bayonets and sabres of the federals made the night maneuvre a spectacular one. The rebels did not venture over the crest of the hill from the camp and the federal forces split, the cavalry and half the force swinging to the right of the mountain, the other half to the left over the ridges near Niggerhead, making straight for Blanco's camp.

By this time night had fallen and if Blanco's scouts watched the dividing of the federal forces they realize the possibility of a night attack. Part of Blanco's forces were seen going toward Colonia Morales this morning and received 4000 pounds of flour from a mill there. Governor Torres from Cananea is expected in Douglas tomorrow or Friday.

The wounded at Agua Prieta as the result of the battle of Sunday, appear doomed. American physicians who gave first aid stated tonight that all hope was abandoned of removing the wounded to this side of the line, as authority for their removal must como from Washington. It would be possible for Blanco's forces to beat the federals into town, take it, and get supplies before the arrival of federal troops. Blanco, if he holds the ground of battle, will problaby take the place at daybreak. Inmediately on the border, at international monument, number 82, the American cavalry both from here and San Diego will be lined up at dawn.

Line up in Lower California.

San Diego, march 15. Reinforcements to the number of 100 arrived at Tía Juana, Mexico, from Ensenada, Mexico, this afternoon, making the federal force at Tía Juana nearly 200 of all classes. The insurrectos are reported to be gathering in the Tecate mountain region, about thirty miles east to Tía Juana, to effect a junction with the rebels reported to be marching west from Mexicali. This juction provided it is carried out, will be made about Thursday night or Friday morning.

It is reported from Ensenada that Colonel LaJol, with 500 federal soldiers will take the field on Saturday to meet these insurrectos. LaJol has some machine guns and three field guns, the only artillery on the peninsula of Lower California.

A promised reform.

Mexico City, march 15. An application of the suggestion of Minister of Finance Limantour in his recent Paris interview that the big estates throughout the republic be parcelled out among small individual owners as a desirable reform measure, it is said, has been promised by President Diaz to a committee of agriculturists from Mazatlan, in the state of Hidalgo, in a conference recently. The measure is to become effective after the revolution has ceased and the financial losses resulting therefrom have been settled.

El Heraldo quoted the executive today as saying that the division of estates question is one of the measures which he proposed to accomplish. According to Manuel Ortiz, head of the committee, the plan is for the government to purchase the tracts and sell them to the natives at equitable prices, permitting payment on installments through a period of ten and fifteen years.

American prisoners.

Present Offenders Will Be shot, Later Offenders Will Be Shot Summarily.

El Paso, Texas, march 15. Assurance of the safety of all the Americans now confined in Mexican prisions was given in an official statement issued at Juarez tonight. The Americans now prisoners will be given fair trials in the civil courts on charges of sedition against the Mexican government, but hereafter all insurrectos whether citizens of the United States or not may be subject to the death penalty under summary military procedure.

This statement from Mexican officials was issued relative to seventeen foreigners now imprisoned in Casas Grandes. Fifteen Americans pending their trials will be given that consideration due prisoners of war.

Colonel Cuellar, in command of Casas Grandes, is suffering from wounds but as soon as he is able to move, the prisoners will be marched 170 miles to Chihuahua to face the civil court. Two others are soldiers of fortune who fought in Central American revolutions.

Francisco I. Madero, the revolutionary leader with 1000 men, a one pound cannon, a three inch field piece and two rapid fire guns are somewhere north of Casas Grandes and drawing toward him is General Orozco with 800 men. The insurrecto forces were scattered after their Casas Grandes defeat and their inactivity for several days is due to reorganization. There is a general movement of insurrectos northward, presumably toward Juarez.