Destroy Rebels' Towns.

New York Times 100 years ago today, November 18, 1912:
Mexican Federals Raze Insurrecto Strongholds to Weaken Revolution.
    MEXICO CITY, Nov. 17.— Government troops in resuming the tactics employed successfully by Gen. Robles in the State of Morelos some months ago have totally destroyed several small towns and villages in the northern mountains of Oaxaca, where the revolution has been rampant.
    In order to restore peace in the South 3,000 soldiers, who are now operating in the North, chiefly in Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Durango, will be brought here for the campaign against the rebels in the States of Mexico, Puebla, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. The Government is convinced that the situation in the North is now so nearly in hand that smaller forces will be required to restore normal conditions.
    Ixtepeji and Zia, two of the places destroyed, were the strongholds of the Serrano Indians, who had not been subjugated by the campaign waged in the vicinity of the State capital after an attempt had been made to capture the city. Convinced that the inhabitants were in league with the rebels, orders were issued for the destruction of the towns.
    The Indians are active in other directions. Official reports say that conditions in the States of Morelos and Mexico have improved, but it is known that the rebels hold important hills near Cuernavaca and largely control trie rural districts and many of the minor towns in the State of Mexico. The situation in the State of Guerrero has become worse on account of the leadership of Juan Andrew Almazan, who is said to have a considerable following and has possession of much territory along the Pacific Coast.
    Gen. Aguilar, who is supposed to be directing a large part of the rebel forces, is operating in the southern part of the State of Puebla. Encounters are reported daily, but in all of them the Government has been victorious, with slight losses. At Huaquecheula the Federals dislodged the rebels from a strong position, eight of the rebels and one Federal being killed. Numerous haciendas and small towns have been sacked and the crops destroyed.