Americans Ask Arms.

New York Times 100 years ago today, April 20, 1913:
Want to Protect Themselves When Mexican Towns Are Attacked.
Special Cable to The New York Times.
    MEXICO CITY, April 19.— Americans and other foreigners in Tampico, Torreon, Monterey, and Durango have appealed to the American Government to obtain arms for the policing of the foreign quarters in case of attack. It is reported here that the case has been referred to the Mexican authorities, as it would be better for the Mexican Government to furnish protection or arms. It is understood that the American Government has recommended that the arms be given. Anti-American feeling is evidenced at many points in the republic in spite of declarations that intervention is the only salvation of the country.

Special Cable to The New York Times.
    HAVANA. April 10.— FranciscoVasquez Gomez sailed to-day for Key West. While he has not admitted publicly that he plans to join the Carranzietas, he has so advised the anti-Huerta group here.

    NOGALES, Ariz., April 19. — Insurgent Sonora State troops early to-day began the bombardment of Guaymas by long distance artillery and rifle fire. The Federal garrison of 600 regulars was entrenched in the suburb of the California gulf city.
    After a brisk rifle and machine gun fight across the bay the fire subsided. The State troops are entrenched at Empalme, across the bay from Guaymas. Bullets fell near the hospital in Empalme, but no members of the large American colony there were reported injured.
    It is reported the Constitutionalist troops in to-day's preliminary battle successfully employed machine guns mounted on small launches. From near the shore the rapid fire pieces are said to have played havoc with the Federal positions. Eight Federals were killed.

    EL PASO, Texas, April 19.— The Mexican Federal garrison at Juarez found itself in a predicament to-day. Some daring person had made away with the ammunition and the breech blocks of all cannon and machine guns, rendering the pieces useless. Complicating the situation was the fact that during the siege of Naco, Sonora, a large shipment of ammunition was sent through the United States for the relief of Gen. Ojeda, and now Col. Juan N. Vasquez finds himself in command of plenty of men at Juarez, but virtually no artillery and little ammunition.

    EL PASO, Texas, April 19.— Seventy-five Federal soldiers were killed when insurgents dynamited a troop train a few miles south of Chihuahua City, according to refugees arriving by automobile to-night from the Parral district. The refugees reported that they had encountered the wrecked train and estimated the dead, which apparently for several days had remained along the tracks of the Mexican Central Railway. Strong groups of Constitutionalistas were met at intervals along the route.