EL PASO, Texas, Feb. 2, 1911 (UP) - An army of Mexican rebels under Gen. Pascal Orozco attacked Juarez, across the river from this city, today. At a late hour this afternoon the battle was still raging, with the outcome in doubt.
James R. Garfield of Cleveland and 100 other Americans reached Juarez from the south at midnight, and gave the alarm. Garfield had been marooned in Mexico for several days, and evidently has escaped from the scene of today's engagement just in time.
The insurrecto forces, after being temporarily checked by the blowing up of a bridge between Juarez and Samalayuca, 46 kilometers south of Juarez, renewed their advance on foot, abandoning their troop train south of the bridge.
The insurrectos are advancing as a crescent-shaped formation and the reports received here indicate that the federal troops are resisting desperately their onward march.
The fierce character of the fighting is indicated by the fact that of 100 men of the Fourteenth Mexican infantry who marched out early today to dynamite Five Mile bridge and engage the rebels, only 68 had returned at 10 a.m.
Four wounded soldiers were brought in on a handcar at the same hour and two are known to have been killed. How many of the others perished cannot be ascertained.
Wounded and riderless horses with bloodstained saddles, stampeding across the border into American territory, tell the story of how fierce the engagement is. The battle opened south of Juarez between 500 federal infantry and cavalry and the advance guard of the rebel soldiers.
It was reported shortly before noon that Orozco's troops had advanced within four miles of Juarez and were massing for a concerted attack.
Half a dozen cars arrived from Juarez before noon, crowded to the rails with panic-stricken refugees. Hundreds more are expected as soon as cars can be provided.
The roof of every high building in El Paso and the roofs of most of the houses are crowded with eager sightseers, striving to watch the battle.
Dr. I.J. Bush and Dr. E.B. Sinks of El Paso, under a Red Cross flag started across the border at 10 o'clock, to care for the wounded of Orozco's army. An emergency hospital will be established in El Paso to care for the wounded of both armies if the United States government will permit.
A Red Cross hospital corps is being organized here, and is expected to establish field hospitals as soon as possible.
Gen. Orozco is said to have sent an ultimatum to American Consul Edwards at Juarez and Mexican Counsul Lomell of Juarez and El Paso demanding that Juarez surrender immediately to prevent bloodshed. He promised to attack the city in earnest shortly after noon today unless his demands were met.
