RELIGIOUS WAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 55, 6 March 1929, Page 7

RELIGIOUS WAR.

BLOOD IS SPILT.

ME/XICAN REVOLUTiON

Claish Of Troops In Life And i Death Struggle. !f BEBELS CLAIM VICTOEY. ({Australian Press Assn. —United Service.) 1 f (Received 10 a.m.) I NEW YORK, March 5. The first bloodshed in the Mexican revolution was reported on Tuesday in five States as the Government and the revolutionists settled what appeared to be a life and death struggle.

The revolutionists claim the capture of Monterey, a strategic railway and munition centre in the State of Neuvol«on, with severe casualties. The capture of three Federal generals of the loyal troops is claimed as a victory.

The State of Vera Cruz and the States ef Coahuila, Sonora and Sinaloa are reported to be fighting. The Government made wide plans of action on two Ironts, north and south.

General Callcs will conduct tlio campaign in Sonora and General Andrew Almazon will concentrate in the south. Eight thousand of his troops are marching on Vera Cruz. Opposing these leaders will be General Gonzalo Escobar, Comman-der-in-Chief of the insurgent forces. For the first time the religious question has appeared with the promulgation of a manifesto by Governor Fausto Topete, of Sonora, proclaiming religious freedom. Preparation was made to reopen the Catholic Cathedrals in Sonora, closed since 1926. Heavy troop movements are reported from Mexico City where perfect order reigns. The United States Ambassador, Mr. Dwight Morrow, made it quite plain that he would continue to deal only with the recognised Government. It is stated at Washington that Mr. Hoover saw no reason to disturb the policy under which shipments of arms and munitions from the United States for the Mexican Government is permitted under the license of the last five years.

General J. G. Escobar, Commander-in-Chief of the revolution in Northern Mexico, issued a statement on Tuesday that after a ten hours' combat the revolutionists took Monterey, capturing 570 men, three generals and 78 officers. General Lurriaga, Federal commander, was killed. All the lives were spared.

Further reports indicate that the rebels captured Monterey after a tenhour battle, in which one Federal genera] nas killed and three generals, 78 officers and 570 men were captured. The Mexican Navy is supporting the rebels.

General Callea is massing the ltwu troops.

A 0 tie revolt spreads, with Mexico ftty the next objective, the American Ambassador, Mr. Morrow, is keeping elose observation without anv move at present. °

BATTLE RAGING, f. REBEL CLAIM DENIED. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 10 a.m.) NEW YORK, March 5. The commander of the Federal troops At Matamores denied that Monterey was captured. He said that the battle started on Monday and is still continuing.

AMERICA HELPS.

Hoover Agrees With Supply Of Arms And Ammunition.

REBELS AND HIGH MASS

(Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) (Received 1 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, March 5.

President Hoover, after a conference on his first international problem, decided that he would not upset the policy of shipping arms and munitions over the United States Mexican border under license to the loyal Mexican Government.

MEXICO CITY, March 5,

Clashes occurred at c&nanea and Monterey, in the State of Sonora. The casualties are unknown. The rebels reported the capture of Monterey with a large number of machine-guns, rifles and ammunition. The coup was effected by the rebel commander-in-chief, General Gonzalo Escobar.

The rebels are also claiming a victory at Maiatlan, in Sinaloa, afflicting considerable punishment upon the fleeing loyal troops. The Mexican Government will confiscate all the property of the rebel leaders. To-day, in Nogales, Sonora, Bishop Navarrete, who was driven from the State by General Calles' restrictions, officiated at the first high mass held there in 18 months.