Americans Unable To Leave War Zone.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 14, 1913:
Closing of Banks Leaves Hundreds in Mexico City Without Funds to Buy Tickets.
TRAIN SERVICE IS BLOCKED
National Railways to Abandon Attempts to Run Trains — Northern Mexicans Adopt Neutrality.
    LAREDO, Texas, Feb. 13.— It was announced to-night that train service over the direct route of the National Railway to Mexico City from Laredo would be discontinued to-morrow, but that trains would be run as far south as Monterey, and there connections might be made for Tampico, and over a circuitous route into the Mexican capital. The express company operating in Mexico also announced that for the present nothing of value destined for Mexico City would be received for transportation.
    Hearts to the national railroad officers here are that rebels burned the Celonia station of that line in Mexico City, a fine structure valued at $400,000. The station was near the centre of the city, not far from the American colony, across Paseo de la Reforma.
    A passenger from Mexico City on last night's train reported that at least 1,000 Americans were without funds to leave the capital even if the opportunity presented, because the banks had been closed since Saturday. A large number of Americans were at the railroad station eagerly seeking to take northbound trains, but checks were refused as payment for tickets.
    Many Americans, the passenger believed, were, practically marooned at the station without food, shelter, or money. He said railroad officials were doing everything they could to afford shelter to the women and children.
    The whereabouts of the north-bound passenger train from Mexico City which left there Tuesday night still is unreported, and there is apprehension for the safety of its passengers.
    Passengers from Saltillo said to-day that one freight train was entirely destroyed by fire and that the fate of another was in doubt.
    The south-bound passenger train which left Laredo Tuesday night at 9 o'clock proceeded in safety until about 518 miles south of this city, at El Salado, where it was attacked by a band of fifty to one hundred rebels. As the train was entering the station the engineer was fired upon. He reversed the lever and backed full speed toward Saltillo, pursued by the rebels on horseback. The speed of the mounted band was not sufficient to overtake the train. The passengers were endangered by rebel gunfire.
    Aboard the train was a party of fifty Welshmen en route to Necaxa, a point beyond Mexico City, to take employment with a light and power company.
    To-day's passenger list from Mexico City included Bishop Hendrix of the Methodist Episcopal Church south of Kansas City. He WAS a passenger on the south-bound train which was attacked by rebels and returned.

    EL, PASO, Texas. Feb. 13.— A voluntary armistice between Federals and rebels prevails over much of Northern Mexico, according to reports reaching here to-day. Both sides are waiting to see how the Mexico City fight goes before declaring their partisanship. There is some fighting and raiding in Northern Mexico, but most of it seems ascribable to bandits.
    Rebels and federals are seen fraternizing at numerous points. Reports also say that many federal officers openly declare they wish Diaz would win, but they are not renouncing the Madero government before it is overthrown.
    The riots at Chihuahua City were caused by an attempt of rebels to liberate prisoners in the state prison, say American refugees who arrived here to-day on a belated passenger train.
    They reported that a truce had been made between Gen. Antonio Rabago, the federal commander of the northern military zone, and Marcello Carraveo, a rebel general. The rebels were permitted to camp within five miles of the city and Tuesday they attempted to open the prison. Federal troops frustrated the attempt without bloodshed, but a riot followed.
    It was said the Mexico City situation had occasioned the best feeling between the rebels and Government troops, but that Gen. Rabago insisted that opening the State Prison was going too far. Quiet had been restored Wednesday morning when the train left, only to encounter two burned bridges below Juarez. These were repaired, but all telegraph lines to the State capital remain cut.
    The refugees reported that the Federal troops were expected to welcome the Diaz revolt in the event of Madero's defeat, and would be joined by the northern rebels. The only pro-Madero sympathy seems to exist among the volunteers, many of whom fought as insurrectos in the Madero revolution. These are in the minority. This same condition appeared to exist at Juarez and in other parts of the State.