Page:Mexico of the Mexicans.djvu/224

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188
Mexico of the Mexicans

wherever possible. The greater number of foreigners in the disturbed area were American miners, but there were also a smaller number of persons of other nationalities engaged in mining or cattle-raising. This guerilla trouble started after the Revolution of the preceding November, and the Federal Government dispatched from the capital General Novarro at the head of a force of nearly 3,000 cavalry and infantry. The President considered it necessary to put down these raids by means of a strong military force, but the difficulty was that the bands would not come out of their almost inaccessible hiding-places or make a regular stand. There was, however, every reason to believe that in a short time the bands would be dispersed.

The policy of the Government, added the Minister, in dealing very severely with the revolutionary leaders no doubt made it very difficult for the heads of these bands to surrender. Señor Madero, the leader of the November Revolution, was now in the United States, whither he had fled some time before. He was at this time endeavouring to carry on his propaganda from American territory. Most of the other leaders of the late movement were shot. Their capture was dramatic. It was discovered that five of the revolutionary leaders, including two women, were in one house. This was surrounded by 300 police and the Federal troops, but for several hours the few inmates kept their assailants at bay, until finally the house was rushed, and all except the two women were shot. So much for matters as outlined by the Mexican Minister.

In Great Britain, the lack of definite news regarding the rising in Mexico for some weeks was interpreted in certain quarters as an indication of a complete cessation of hostilities and a return to a condition of tranquility within the borders of the Republic. But private advices showed that the state of unrest was worse than before, and that insurgents had been gathering strength in the Northern provinces with the probable intention of proclaiming these always disaffected