MEXICAN BLOODSHED

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1929, Page 5

MEXICAN BLOODSHED

BATTLE OF MONTEREY. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) MEW YORK, March 5. The first bloodshed in the Mexican revolution was reported to-day in five States, and the (lovermncnt and the revolutionists have settled down to what appears to he a life and death struggle. 1 The revolutionists claim the capture of Monterey, a strategic railway and munition centre in the State of Nuevo' Leon, with severe casualties and the capture of 570 men, three ' generals, and 78 officers. General J. G. Escobar, Commander-in-Chief of the revolution in Northern Mexico, in issuing a statement, said that Monterey was captured after a ten hours’ combat. General Lurriaga, the Federal commander, was killed. All the prisoners’ lives were spared. The loyal troops have claimed a victory in the State of Vera Cruz. i tie States of Coahuila, Sonora and Sinaloa have also reported fighting. The Government has made wide plans of action on two fronts, north and south. Ex-President Calles will conduct the campaign in Sonora, and General Andrew Altazon will concentrate on the South. Eight hundred of his troops .are marching on Vera Cruz. For the first time, the religious question has appeared, with the promulgation off a manifesto by Governor Fausto Topete, of Sonora, proclaiming religious freedom. Preparation has been made to reopen the Catholic cathedrals in Sonora, which have been closed since 192 G. Heavy troops movements are reported from Mexico Citv, ( where perfect order is being maintained. The United States Ambassador (Mr Morrow) has made it plain that he will continue to deal only with the recognised Government. The 'commander of the Federal troops at Matamorcs denies that Monterey was captured. He says that the battle, which started on Monday, is' continuing. AMERICAN ATTITUDE. WASHINGTON, March 5. President Hoover states he sees no reason to disturb the policy under which shipments of arms and munitions from the United States for the Mexican Government has been permitted under license for the last five , years. OBJECT OF REVOLT. h MEXICO CITY, March 5. According to a manifesto that is issued by Governor Topete of the State of Sonora, the Mexican revolution is directed against the former President Calles. The revolutionaries demand tliat he (Calles) should leave Mexico. NAVY SUPPORTS REBELS. *+ ' I NEW YORK, March 5. Further reports indicate that the re- j els captured Monterey after a ten hours’ battle, in which one Federalist General was killed and three generals, 78 officers and 510 men were captured. The Mexican Navy is supporting the rebels. Calles is massing the loyal troops, . as the revolt spreads, with Mexico City as the next objective. , The American Ambassador is keeping the situation under close observation, without making any move at present. FURTHER SUCCESSES. , WASHINGTON, March 5. , The rebels report that they also captured a large number of machine guns, rifles and ammunition at Monterey. They claim a further victory at Mazatlan, in Sinaloa, inflicting con- , siderable punishment upon the fleeing . loyal troops. f The Federalists still deny that Mon- . terey was captured. c The Mexican Government will con- f fiscate all the property of the rebel leaders to-day in Nogales-and Sonora. , Bishop Navarette, who was driven - from the State by Calles’ restrictions, , ow.fuatod at the first High Mass held ; there for eighteen months. ( ■ ( GOING OVER TO REBELS. , MEXICO CITY, March 6. It, is estimated ten thousand, of sixty thousand men in the Mexican Army, have gone over t otlie rebels. WASHINGTON, March G. The United States Consul, Wallys ; Mvers, at Vera Cruz, reported to-day that the Third Battalion of the Revolutionary garrison mutinied, occupying / half the city. r FIGHTING PROCEEDING. NEW YORK, March G. Extensive military action marked the Mexican situation to-day, the Govertinirnt and reliefs beginning the movements. In the north and south there is heavy fighting in prospect. The Government is marching trdops in fi'° directions for the purpose of rerapuring Monterey, being content to bottle up Vera Cruz. The rebels appear to have scored a success in Hie north, but the battle lines are being drawn to two points near the United States border. REBELS’ SUCCESS. i NEW YORK. March 0. Reports favourable to the rebels have been received of fighting in Magatalan, Simoloa, Torreon, Coahuila and Cananea.