EL PASO, Texas, Feb. 6, 1911 (UP) - Luck has played with Diaz' troops, and it believed her today that the insurrectos cannot take Juarez unless the reinforcements of Alanias, the rebel leader in Chihuahua, come up quickly.
The reverse suffered yesterday by Gen. Orozco when he was tempted to cut off Rabago and his 300 men, who were being rushed to the relief of the Juarez garrison, was a hard blow to the rebel leader. Failure of a dynamite fuse to burn saved Rabago's men from being either killed or captured.
Rabago has not made a muster of his forces, but declares his losses were not serious. According to the government officers, Rabago reached here with practically all his men, two machine guns and rifles and ammunition. The garrison's strength has been doubled by the arrival of the reinforcements.
It was reported at noon that Gen. Orozco was within four miles of Juarez. Two machine guns and a mountain howitzer were today mounted in a position to help in the defense of the city.
Navarro's column is said to be marching northward with about 700 men to aid Rabago. Alanias is reported to be making a desperate movement to form a juncture with Orozco, but it is believed he may have decided to try and cut off Navarro.
Whether the attack on Juarez is to be made late today depends on the success Gen. Navarro meets with in his attempt to reinforce the federals at Juarez. Navarro is moving northward on a train. If Orozco finds that Navarro is making rapid progress he will devote his efforts to an attempt to dynamite the train and cut off reinforcements.
If Navarro is delayed, it is reported that Orozco will make an assault on Juarez this afternoon or evening.
Orozco this morning took his command to Rancho Flores, to get food and water for his horses and men, all of which have been without anything to eat or drink for 24 hours. Col. Blanco, with a detachment of rebels, is expected to join Orozco today. Jose de la Sanchez is heading a band of rebels which may reach Orozco this afternoon. Sanchez left Ojinaga Sunday and unless he meets with unexpected delay should reach Orozco this afternoon.
A skirmish took place south of Juarez early this morning when the federals from the garrison rushed out to engage a small band of Orozco's soldiers. The fighting lasted some time, but the federals finally withdrew.
It is believed here that Navarro will reach Juarez some time today unless he is cut off by rebels. He left Gallego yesterday.
The revolutionists are reported to have captured San Ignacio, 50 miles east of Juarez. The consul at Monterey telegraphed the revolution was growing more furious in the state of Chihuahua and part of Sonora.
Col. Rabago escaped from Orozco at dusk last night after an all-day fight at Bauche, where the northwestern passenger train on which the reinforcements were riding was held up by the insurrecto chief.
Orozco planned to blow up the train, but the dynamite fuse would not burn and the train was stopped in an open field, instead of the mountain pass in which the rebels had planned to pour a rain of bullets.
Rabago stationed his machine guns alongside of the train and directed the engagement in person from the engine. Although the rebels fired from the hills all day, their bullets did little damage.
No figures are given out as to the number of injured in the government camp. Two rebels were killed and three wounded, according to reports received today.
Just at dusk Rabago and his command escaped to the foothills and from there made their way to Juarez.
Some think the lifting of the siege of Juarez spells the utter failure of Orozco's plans. Others, however, believe the attack upon Juarez was threatened by Orozco for the sole purpose of drawing federal troops to Juarez from the strong army of Gen. Navarro.
The troops which Sunday waged battle with the army of Gen. Rabago on the outskirts of Juarez were but a remnant, it is believed, of Orozco's forces. The main body, it is hinted, may now be flying south for the really critical battle with Navarro.
The revolutionists are in better condition for fighting than at any time since they started northward. They have captured most of the munitions which were abandoned by the federal commander when his troops were compelled to fight their way through the rebel lines.
These are supplies that were badly needed by the rebels. They are reported to include boxes of rapid fire ammunition, some rifles and large quantities of rifle ammunition.
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