MONTEREY TAKEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 605, 6 March 1929, Page 9

MONTEREY TAKEN

A TEN HOURS’ BATTLE FEDERAL GENERAL SLAIN (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association■) (United Servicel Received 9.5 a.m. MEXICO CITY, Tuesday. General J. G. Escobar, Commander-in-Cliief of the revolutionary forces in Northern Mexico, issued a statement on Tuesday that after ten hours’ combat the revolutionists took Monterey, capturing 570 men, three generals, and 78 officers. General Lurriaga, the Federal commander, was killed. All the prisoners’ lives were spared. The Mexican Navy is supporting the rebels. General Elias Calles, the ex-Presi-dent of Mexico, is massing the loyal troops as the revolt spreads, with Mexico City as the next objective. The American Ambassador, Mr. Dwight W. Morrow, is keeping a close observation, without making any move at present. The commander of the Federal troops at Matamoros denied that Monterey had been captured. He said the battle started on Monday and was continuing. Clashes have occurred at Cananea and Monterey In the State of Sonora. The number of casualties Is unknown. The rebels have reported ease of Monterey, the report of the a large number of machine-guns, rifles and ammunition. The coup, it is said, was effected by the rebel Commander-in-Chief.

The rebels also claim a victory at Mazatlan in Sinaloa, where, they say, they Inflicted considerable punishment upon fleeing loyal troops, but in the case of Montgerey, the report of the Federalists denies a rebel victory, and states that a battle for the possession of the town is still in progress. The Mexican Government will confiscate all the property of the rebel leaders to-day In Nogales and Sonora. The Bishop of Navarrete, who was driven from the State by restrictions imposed by ex-Presldent Calles, officiated at the first high mass held there for 18 months.