Rebels Lose Ground In Southern Mexico.

New York Times 100 years ago today, September 19, 1912:
Expected Outbreaks on the Anniversary of Madero's Success Fail to Materialize.
AN AMERICAN MURDERED
Insurgent Demands for Ransom from Mines Not Pressed — Des Moines to Visit Tampico.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, Sept. 18.— The recent minor reverses of the rebels in northern Mexico seems to have weakened the prestige of the insurgents throughout the southern republic. It had been expected that Independence Day would be the signal for a general uprising in the army as well as among the populace in favor of the restoration of the Cientifico, or Diaz regime. But the State Department is advised to-day by Consuls from all parts of Mexico that the national holiday was quieter than usual and that nothing occurred to endanger Americans.
    Reports had already been received that in spite of the threat of the rebels to demand a ransom from American miners at El Tigre no Americans were seriously injured, and the payment was not insisted on. A repetition of that incident seems to have developed at Batopilas, in the mountains of western Chihuahua, which has been captured by the rebels without a fight.
    As at El Tigre, a ransom of 13,000 pesos has been demanded of the Batopilas Mining Company, largely an American concern, which was chiefly developed by the late Alexander R. Shepard, once Territorial Governor of the District of Columbia. That demand is not taken seriously, and it is believed that the carrying off of the company's mules for use in transporting military supplies will be as far as the insurgents will go.
    South of Nogales, Ari., order has been practically restored. Passenger trains have started to run, and it is expected that full communication will have been restored by to-morrow. Gen. Salazar, in command of the rebels who captured El Tigre, is retreating northward, pursued by the advance guard of the Federals under Gen. Sanjines.
    The murder of one American, George Reterman, a blacksmith, who lived formerly at Wichita, Kan., has been reported at Cusihuriachio, though it is not stated that the rebels are responsible. An American ranch owner, C. E. Booker, living near Nacozari, reports that his live stock has been carried off, but that seems to be the extent of the depredations.
    No extradition proceedings have been begun by Mexico against the Orozcos held by the United States Army, and it is likely that unless very definite criminal cases can be made out the demand will be refused. The rank and file of the insurgents who crossed into this country have been released, but the two Orozcos and the staff officers captured with them have been sent to Marfa, Texas, under charge of the United States Marshal and several customs officials.
    The cruiser Des Moines was due at Tampico to-day. The State Department made it clear to-day that, while the United States warships were expected to protect American or other foreign citizens in case the local authorities could not look after them, their commanders have been strictly enjoined to take no part in the factional fighting.
    The Des Moines will cruise between Tampico. Vera Cruz, and other eastern ports. She will be the first United States cruiser to apear on the east coast since the gunboat Wheeling made a flying trip to Vera Cruz during the Madero rebellion.
    On that occasion the Wheeling was recalled northward at the suggestion of the State Department, which feared that the appearances of an American warship so near the City of Mexico might be construed as indicating a purpose to intervene. Now, however, the department has concluded that United States warships may resume the practice of touching at Mexican ports on their ordinary cruises without fear of misunderstanding.