Mexican Rebel Ranks Swell with Surrendered Federals

The Mexican insurgent army under Francisco Madero is now firmly in control of the border city of Juarez, just across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas.  General Juan Navarro, of the Mexican Army, surrendered the city at 2:30 P.M. yesterday afternoon after two days of fighting across the city.  50-75 dead and less than 300 wounded have been reported in today's Washington Herald.

The battle was initiated on May 8 when insubordinate commanders under Madero, Cols. Pascual Orozco and Francisco Villa, attacked a Federal outpost on the eastern outskirt of the city and then made there way along the south bank of the Rio Grande to the Santa Fe Bridge.  Beginning in the early morning of May 9, insurrectos began a general assault on the city, finally at the command of Madero.  By 10:30 A.M. yesterday, the Federals had retreated from the old town mission, assuring the fall of the city as they tried to make for the barracks, but by 1 P.M. an armistice was in effect and Navarro formally surrendered a little over an hour later.  The city today remains in good order, with an anti-liquor order in effect, limiting drunkenness among the victorious rebels.

With the capture of Juarez and several other border towns like Tijuana, Agua Prieta, and Mexicali, the Rebels now control the flow of goods from the United States into Mexico and vice versa.  They are also now in a position to march south against federal reinforcements marching north from Mexico City.  One such force, under Gen. Rabago, is marching for Juarez from Chihuahua and it is expected that Madero will move south to meet him in battle.  Madero will be aided in the fight by 150 federal troops who had been part of the federal garrison in Juarez when it fell.  Soldiers and officers who have sworn an oath of allegiance to Madero have been given their freedom and allowed to join Madero's rebel army.  Those who have not have been taken prisoner, including Gen. Navarro.  The general will likely be part of a prisoner exchange with the Diaz government, likely for Eduardo Hayes, a member of the insurrecto board of strategy.

Madero made the following statement yesterday evening:

The Taking of Juarez is of great military and political importance for the revolution and assures our complete triumph in a short time.  The forces which defended the town fought valiantly.  They owe their defeat to the fact that our forces were inspired in the fight by their spirit to win political liberty, while the federal soldiers were in the ranks by yoke of discipline.  The majority are in the army against their will. 

For this reason I wish to announce to all soldiers that I will set them free as soon as I can find a way which will assure them some means of employment.  Those who do not wish to incorporate themselves in our forces at present I cannot set free, as they have no means of sustenance.  As far as I can observe now, the majority of them will augment my forces.  Some of the officers may enter my army if they wish, and the others who wish to remain loyal to the government of Diaz will be exchanged for political and military prisoners.

Link: Rebels Control Border Towns; Take Offensive [The Washington Herald]
Link: Federals Take the Oath of Allegiance to Gen. Madero [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Mexican Rebels Capture Border City of Juarez

The Washington Times is reporting this evening that Mexican insurgents, led by rebel president Francisco I. Madero, have captured the key city of Ciudad Juarez after a desperate firefight.  The rebels gained control of the city by 8 A.M. this morning.  Federal troops, led by a now wounded Gen. Juan Navarro, have abandoned Juarez, though they anticipate the arrival of reinforcements from the south.  At least 12 are confirmed dead in the city, but the list of casualties is expected to climb with deaths being reported as high as fifty this evening.

On the American side of the border, at least five are reported killed including Antonio Garcia who was standing next to an Associated Press reporter when he was struck down by a stray bullet; R. H. Ferguson, a U.S. soldier in the 3rd U.S. Cavalry; W. D. Chandler, a cattleman from Duncan, Arizona; and bartender Vincente Pasedes.  At least a dozen others were injured during the attack across the Rio Grande.

Reports from the attack suggest that Madero did not order the attack, but was instead the result, according to the insurrecto leader, of taunting by federal troops garrisoned in Juarez.  According to Bisbee Daily Review, this taunting, a possible attack by federal troops, "insubordination in the ranks of Madero's army and a lust for the fight which the concessions from the federal government apparently deprived them of" led to the assault of the town.  At the head of the initial insurrecto attack was a Canadian, W. H. McKenzie, who wore a pink shirt was "plainly visible."  However, it is clear that Cols. Francisco Villa and Pascual Orozco were coordinating the rebel assault.

The federals then fired a heavy artillery assault at the rebel camp, forcing the insurgent leadership to take cover along the Rio Grande riverbank, as the federals were under orders not to fire into El Paso.  By late yesterday afternoon, the rebels had advanced as far as the Santa Fe Bridge, which crosses the Rio Grande into El Paso, took possession of the customs house, and were pushing the federals back into the city.

Confusion reigned within the rebel camp as Madero continually tried to call a halt to hostilities, but the rebel attack continued to progress.  A rebel truce flag bearer, sent into Juarez to obtain an armistice from Federal Gen. Navarro, was greeted with bullets.  During the afternoon, Madero was said to have ordered a general attack on the city after receiving a response from President Diaz that he would not resign until order had been restored in the country and that he did not think Madero was firmly in control of his men, particularly those fighting in southern Mexico.  However, Madero quickly changed his mind and the federals briefly stopped firing.  Fighting resumed around 5:15 P.M., with the rebels taking control of all the customs houses save one, the bridges, and the bull ring.  Madero claimed that those who were in the attack had disobeyed orders and that he was doing everything in his power to stop the attack.  He also denied that the assault was a general attack.

However, according to the Washington Times, Gen. Navarro refused a surrender request sent by Madero last night, at which a general attack was ordered by Madero, which resulted in the capture in the city.

It remains to be seen what the response will be from Mexico City, though it is clear now, with the capture of one of Mexico's most prominent border cities, that Diaz may be on the losing side in this fight and that he needs to resign to save his countrymen from further bloodshed.  Washington's response continues to be that intervention is a matter for Congress to take up and that Taft will not unilaterally cross the border.

Link: Rebels Capture Juarez After Desperate Battle [The Washington Times]
Link: Rebels Attack Juarez--General Navarro Wounded [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Fighting to Resume in Mexico

The two-week armistice that has brought a much needed reprieve to war-torn Mexico appears to have come to an end as Francisco Madero and his band of insurrectos prepare to assault the border city of Juarez.  Embattled Mexican President Porfirio Diaz yesterday rejected demands made by the rebel leader to resign his post.  With his chief demand rejected, Madero lifted the armistice that was put in place on April 23.  According to the Washington Times, rebels now control two-thirds of Mexico, with Diaz in firm control of only the capital, Mexico City, and the Gulf ports of Veracruz and Tampico.

However, Diaz does still have a significant force of federal troops inside Ciudad Juarez under the command of General Juan Navarro and they will face the more than 1,500 rebels outside the city.  An attack on the city is not expected, according to today's edition of the Bisbee Daily Review, for at least another 24 hours.  Yesterday, Madero made the following statement:

As it is well known, I invited the people of Mexico to take up arms against Diaz when all legal means to bring about the will of the people had been exhausted.  The war was unavoidable and indispensable and already we have begun to see its fruits, inasmuch as the principles which the revolution proclaimed have been accepted by Gen. Diaz, and the members of his cabinet.

But that is not enough, for while Gen. Diaz is in power, all laws will be a fiction and all promises tricks of war.  With that idea, and in order to obtain peace in Mexico, I asked him to make public the intention which he had manifested privately of resigning from the government.  In order that he might not feel humiliated or have any pretext to deny such a request, I proposed that I resign as provisional president, even manifesting to him that I would accept as president for the interim a member of his cabinet who occupied a post of much confidence, and who was correspondingly able to fill it.

It is not possible for me to do more for my country and if the war continues. it will be do solely to the inexplicable ambition of Gen. Diaz.  He therefore will be alone responsible to the civilized world and in history, for all the misery which the war may cause.

In the event of renewed hostilities, President Taft made it clear that the United States would not intervene in Mexico, even if Americans are killed fighting for the rebel cause.  The Bisbee Daily Review stated that the President was "'firm as a rock' in his purpose to live up the obligations of neutrality."  American officials, while disheartened by the end of the armistice, expressed hope that the warring parties would return to the negotiating table, but with Diaz stating that it is impossible for him to continue being involved in peace talks if the rebels continue to demand his resignation, short of a rebel victory, it seems unlikely.

Despite official denials, military officials are nonetheless preparing for a U.S. invasion of Mexico.  The War College has drafted plans for an invasion that would involve more than 200,000 regular troops and state militia.  The War College plans suggest that the U.S. should be prepared for a long, guerrilla war against the Mexican rebels.  The Army Chief of Staff, General Leonard Wood, told members of the House Committee on Military Affairs that an invasion of Mexico was "inevitable" and stated that 200,000 troops would be needed to pacify the southern republic, corroborating the War College's estimate.  Again, Taft has issues explicit denials, believing, as he told a caller to the White House yesterday, that "'blood would have to be so deep in Mexico that a man could wade through it' if the American army would cross the border."

In other news today, in the McNamara case, the Los Angeles District Attorney reported yesterday that prominent labor attorney Clarence Darrow will arrive in L.A. on or around May 15 to take over as lead defense council, representing the McNamara brothers.  The brothers will arraigned soon on charges that they carried out the October 1, 1910 bombing of the Los Angeles Times building which killed 21 people.

Link: Porfirio Diaz Calmly Refuses to Quit Presidency and Rebels Lift Armistice [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Will Confer with Clarence Darrow About M'Namaras [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Says Troops Must Cross [The Bisbee Daily Review]
Link: Invasion Plans are Completed by War College [The Washington Times]

Madero Demands the Unconditional Resignation of Diaz

The rebel provisional president in Mexico, Francisco I. Madero, has demanded that Porfirio Diaz resign as a condition of peace during negotiations in Washington. While Madero is invested outside Ciudad Juarez, he submitted his demand to his envoys in the nation's capital who then gave it to the federal negotiator, Judge Carbajal. In it, he appealed to Diaz to make public his intention to resign as he had assured Modero privately. There has been some push back from Madero's camp regarding the plan to have a peace agreement without the explicit condition that Diaz resign so that the Mexican President may do so without looking like he was forced.

In a sign of good faith, Modero offered to resign as provisional president if Diaz and his vice president, Ramón Corral, did the same. In their place, Madero suggested that former Mexican Ambassador to the United States and current Foreign Minister, León de la Barra, be installed as interim president until free and fair elections are held later this year. Madero made it clear in his statement that there is no other way of the present conflict. Diaz has stated that he will resign once peace has returned to Mexico.

This declaration is being announced on the 49th Anniversary of the Battle of Puebla where the outnumbered Mexican army defeated invading French troops who were still able to install Habsburg Ferdinand Maximillian to the Mexican Imperial throne a year later. Porfirio Diaz was a brigadier general during the battle, and with his infantry brigade, he fought off a diversionary, French cavalry attack and chased off a force much larger than his own. His commanding officer, Ignacio Zaragoza, commended him by saying that his actions were "brave and notable."

Here is the complete text of Madero's declaration:

In general, the conditions of peace have been accepted by me in telegrams transmitted by the government's official agents, Senos Braniff and Obregon. I ought to tell you that I have acceded to treat about those conditions because some gentlemen acting as go-betweens, have, in a confidential way, indicated to me that General Diaz has made known to them his irrevocable resolution to retire from power as soon as peace is established in the country.

This resolution appears to me to be highly patriotic because in the present moment it is the one which can satisfy public opinion, and I am convinced that if General Diaz makes public his intention it will permit us to pacify the country in a very few days, a matter which it is difficult to obtain any other way.

For these reasons, and not doubting the patriotism of General Diaz, I wish you present to the envoy of the government the following proposition:

In order to assure the immediate pacification of Mexico and to furnish to the world an example which will increase the prestige of our country, both contending leaders, General Porfirio Diaz, as well as myself as provisional president, and the vice president of the republic, Ramon Corral, shall resign, and in the interim the minister of foreign relations, Francisco de la Berra, shall be president, pending a general election according to the constitution of the country.

As far as I am concerned, I am offering my resignation with good satisfaction, as I only wish to serve my country as circumstances demand.

If General Diaz is inspired by the same patriotic sentiment, I have no doubt he will make public what he has manifested in private.

I beg of you to make this proposition in the most favorable terms, in order not to offend in the slightest degree, and that you may not insist that he retire immediately. I believe that the country will become quiet alone through the announcement of his intention to retire from power, and as soon as all the arrangements you are affecting with the representatives of President Diaz are put into operation.

Link: Gen. Madero Unconditionally Demands Diaz's Resignation as a Price of Peace [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Bald Heads or Beards: Which are the Greater Blight on Mankind?

Last night at the esteemed National Press Club, great statesmen and members of the Washington press corps debated one of the most important issues of our time: Which is the greater blight on mankind - bald heads or beards.  Before all was said and done, the Speaker of the House Champ Clark weighed in an provided a boost to both sides.  However, clearly from this *cough* unbiased blogger, the bearded gods of Washington won the argument.

The great former senator from Montana, Thomas Carter, gave a great speech in defense of beards and attack the baldness sickness:

A bald head is an affliction.  It is a trace of disease, it is a standing joke, it is a physical infirmity, and it has been for a long, long time.  No man ever voluntarily wore a bald head.

Former Speaker "Uncle Joe" Cannon, R-IL, told the assembled statesmen:

I have great respect for Brother Nicholas [Nicholas Longworth, R-OH], but when he attacks whiskers, his mustache gives him away.  It largely deals in expectation, but in time, I have no doubt, it will make a showing.

The incorrect viewpoint was presented by Congressman Longworth and Tennessee Senator "Bob" Taylor.  Both men have conspicuous balding hair atop their heads as well as mustaches, just beards waiting to show up as the former speaker would put it.  From Senator Taylor:

I was born baldheaded.  My father before me was extremely bald.  I have always admired baldheads because they are symbols of purity and innocence.

Representative Longworth was more forceful in his treason:

Centuries ago, the condition of whiskeritis was excusable.  The beard in those days was an object of dignity; it was evidence of good faith.  A man is given his choice of hair or brains at birth.

At the end of the debate, the current speaker, Champ Clark, rose to his feet and promised to refer the issue to the House Ways and Means Committee as it deliberates the tariff schedule on hair and wool.  This and other statements seemed to bring comfort to both sides, though clearly, the bearded men of Washington won the day.

Link: Whisker Wearers Show Baldheads Their Supremacy [The Washington Herald]

The Power of May Day

Yesterday, comrades, was May Day. In light of this auspicious day, the Bisbee Daily Review and the Washington Times are both reporting strikes and walkouts of massive proportions. In Chicago alone, nearly 50,000 men are ready to walk off the job. They demand better wages and conditions, they demand to be treated fairly, they demand to be given agency over their own lives. While it may seem these men are demanding only the minimal changes to their working environment, they are in fact demanding much more. They are crying out for an anarchist society of workers!

The Unions these workers have formed are all voluntary organizations. They all exist because the individual workers see the benefit of working together. While they are undoubtedly a good thing, the Capitalists hate them. They hate them not only because it eats into their profits. They hate them because it shows the people they don't have to accept Capitalist rule. That there is a way to fight and take back our world. Comrades, please heed the lessons May Day teaches us! It is time for us to demand our world back. If the workers can band together forming unions with such success, why can't we do the same for the rest of our society? It is time, comrades, for us to come together, and reform this corrupt, unfair society, and truly live in a world that has No Gods and No Masters!

Strikes Spread; Many Thousands Lay Down Tools [The Washington Times]
Strike Wave Sweeps Over The Country [The Bisbee Daily Review]

Bangor, Maine Destroyed by Fire

A great travesty struck Bangor, Maine yesterday as a fast-moving fire swept through the Business district and last night swept through a residential district on the town's north side. At least three people have been killed according to this evening's edition of the Washington Times and scores injured by the intense flames that were kicked up by high winds in the region. This morning's Washington Herald counts the dead at two. This latest fiery tragedy comes on the heels of a number of deadly conflagrations experienced this year, including Triangle Waistshirt Factory fire that killed nearly 150, a fire that destroyed the New York State Capitol, and another that destroyed Nationals Park where the Washington Nationals play baseball.

The fire started at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon in a hay shed at the corner of Broad and Union Streets, near the junction of the Panobscot River and Kenduskeag Creek, and was pushed into the rest of the business district, containing a number of government buildings, by high winds. The fire spread north flamed by a southerly breeze, and destroyed a number of prominent buildings, including the Morse-Oliver building where firefighter John Wiltshire was struck by a falling wall. While he recovered and was seen at a third-story window, the floor collapsed. The two identified dead, according to the Washington Times were George Abbott of Brewer, Maine, who was killed by a falling chimney, and firefighter John Scribner who was killed in the Morse-Oliver Building, The public library, several buildings of Bangor High School, the Post Office, the depot of the Maine Central, the Bangor News building, Norumbega Hall, the Fairbanks & Co. plant, and the Windsor Hotel were all destroyed by the fire.

Washington newspapers today estimate the cost of the damages from the fire to be around $10,000,000 and more than 3,000 people are homeless today as a result. A great number of firefighters and state militia were called in overnight to aid the overstretched city services in order to combat the fire and potential looting.

Firefighters attempted to control the blaze by dynamiting a block near Hammond and Central Streets but this failed to contain the fire as the fire also spread more to the south, pushed by winds of its own creation.

The Washington Herald reported that a light rain began to fall overnight, and that helped to contain the fire early this morning, according to the Washington Times.

Link: Three Dead and Millions Lost in Bangor Fire [The Washington Times]
Link: Bangor is Swept by Fire causing $6,000,000 Loss [The Washington Herald]