Madero Is Unperturbed.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 13, 1913:
Calmly Directs the Fight in the Face of Diaz Bombardment.
    MEXICO CITY. Feb. 12.— Mexico's capital was torn asunder again to-day by shot and shell. It was not until 9 o'clock that the fire in all quarters ceased.
    Gen. Felix Diaz, in command of the rebel forces, fortified and entrenched in and around the arsenal, had held his ground against the Federals. He had done more than this. He had subjected the city to a more terrible bombardment than that of yesterday. He had enlarged his zone of action and had sent forces against the National palace.
    Yet to-night President Madero was optimistic. Throughout the bombardment and the almost continuous rattle of machine guns and rifles he went about his work in the palace apparently unperturbed. He took counsel frequently with the Finance Minister, Ernesto Madero. From time to time he was in conversation with Gen. Huerta, the commander in chief, regarding the plans of attack. His courage was great, his confidence remarkable.
    Over at the arsenal Gen. Diaz calmly directed the operations. He characterized them as solely defensive. He, too, was optimistic.
    The number of dead and wounded cannot even be estimated, but it is large.
    For two hours during the forenoon the rebel gunners rained shot and shell on the lofty structures of the city, from the roofs of which Federal sharpshooters and machine gunmen had attempted to rake the insurgents in the trenches and behind the barricades of the arsenal. The shells from the heavy guns were well timed, the explosions throwing perhaps hundreds of thousands of bullets into the roofs, effectually clearing, for a time at least, these buildings of the picked men from the Federal troops.
    Some of the rebel shells and not a few rifle bullets reached the National Palace, but none did serious damage.

Assault on Rebels To-day.
    Madero has promised to make a combined assault on the rebel positions tomorrow, but the operations of to-day indicate that Diaz has much in reserve. On the first day of the battle it was the Government forces that burned their powder. To-day it was the rebels' turn to be aggressive. Diaz brought forth heavier guns than he had used before.
    The American Ambassador and the Ministers of Great Britain, Germany, and Spain made protests to both Madero and Diaz against the "barbarous and inhuman warfare," but their protests have been in vain. A brief armistice was arranged for a visit of the diplomats to the President and to the rebel commander, but in general the continuity of the day's operations was interrupted but slightly.
    The British Legation was under rebel fire for a time, but the American Embassy is considered to be in a comparatively safe district. On this account the women and children are being brought to that section, and an American guard protects them. During a lull in the fighting automobiles flying the white flag were sent to the various quarters of the city by the Americans, Germans, and British for the purpose of collecting the women and children of all nationalities, and they will be housed in the buildings around the Embassy.
    Anticipating an early resumption of hostilities to-morrow, more than 600 Americans fled to-night from their homes to temporary abodes in the outskirts of the city, where the danger from the fire will be minimized.
    Ambassador Wilson, on information from the National Palace, knew that the Government planned a crushing blow, and determined to save the Americans if possible, rented numerous house, to which, under flags of truce, agents of the Embassy hurried in automobiles as many women and children as would agree to be transported. The capital was quiet tonight, but the fugitive foreigners needed little urging.

Battle Is Begun Early.
    The Federal troops reopened the battle in the streets about 7 o'clock this morning with a light artillery fire. The action soon became general, all the artillery on both sides being brought into play. The cannon fire was augmented by sweeping salvos from the machine guns, while the infantry came into action with volleys and individual shooting.
    The Mutual Life Insurance Building was set on fire at about 8 o'clock by a shell from a rebel field gun. It is a five-story concrete structure on the corner of Cinco Mayo and San Juan de Letran Streets. The flames were subdued, but much damage was done by them and by other shells.
    The rebels started to advance toward the National Palace at 8:45. They seemingly were employing heavier cannon than they did yesterday. They directed their fire toward the National Palace and on to the higher buildings in the centre of the business district, on many of which Federal machine guns were mounted and riflemen were posted.
    Shortly before 9 o'clock a shell tore a hole through the iron shutter protecting the cable office and fell inside. Another heavy shell later struck a building in front of the cable office, ripping away a corner of the structure.
    Porter's Hotel and the American Club, in both of which scores of American visitors and residents were gathered, were in the direct line of fire.

British Legation Menaced.
    The Federal cannon were in action in San Juan de Letran Street and just off Juarez Avenue in locations between the arsenal and the National Palace. A hot fire was directed on the arsenal and Y.M.C.A. Building, but apparently without much effect.
    The artillery fire of the rebels extended in various directions on account of the encircling tactics adopted by the Government troops. It was on this account that Diaz once turned his guns in the direction of the British Legation in reply to the fire of a Federal battery stationed there.
    The Federal troops at one time made a valiant but ineffective effort to obtain possession of Belem Jail in the neighborhood of the arsenal. The followers of Diaz repulsed their vigorous attack and then released a portion of the prisoners, some of whom they incorporated in their ranks arming them with rifles from the arsenal stores. Finally the jail was thrown open by the rebels, and from 3,000 to 5,000 desperate prisoners let loose.
    The group of Zapatistas commanded by Alfonso Mirando, who entered the city in the night, worked in conjunction with Diaz, but instead of attempting to join him in fortifying his positions, adopted guerrilla tactics and caused great trouble to the Federals.
    At about 10:30 there was a virtual cessation of firing, and neither side had won a decided advantage. The cessation of firing appears to have been due to a change in the Federal positions, which was regarded by the rebels as a trick to draw them out.
    The American Ambassador, Henry Lane Wilson; the British Minister, F. W. Stronge; the German Minister, Herr von Hintze; and the Spanish Minister, Señor Cologan y Cologan, called at the National Palace during a lull in the firing shortly before noon. After a brief conference with President Madero, they had little difficulty in gaining his promise to suspend operations, if Gen. Diaz would do likewise, until the diplomats or their representatives could confer with the rebel commander.
    The diplomats, who had communicated with their Governments, protested to the President against the continuation of such operations as had gone on for two days, characterizing them as being unsanctioned by the laws of warfare of civilized nations.
    President Madero and his Ministers agreed that the bombardment of cities was barbarous, and especially such a struggle as was going on between two forces of artillery, and the Minister of War, acting in accord with the President and Cabinet, sent to Gen. Diaz a protest.
    D. E. Hamar was chosen to carry the message. He entered an automobile, which, with a white flag flying, moved through the Federal lines. It was supposed that the troops had been advised of this mission, but the automobile was instantly made a target for numerous Federal rifles and bullets rattled about it. It continued on its way, however, the diplomatic envoy apparently being unhurt. The protest he carried read:

    The artillery fire coming from you is causing danger to the lives and interests of non-combatants and to the lives of the foreign residents and diplomatic Ministers.
    As this is in flagrant violation of the laws of war of civilized nations. I notify you that if you do not limit your fire to the zone of combatants we will consider outside the law all those who occupy the arsenal when that position is taken by our forces.
    The Government will be inflexible in complying with its duty toward compelling you to keep the peace, but upon you will rest the responsibility in history and before the Mexican Nation if, by your anti-patriotic attitude, you cause graver injury to the country.

    Immediately after the dispatch of this message the Finance Minister, Ernesto Madero, speaking for the President, said that, in case Diaz held out, it had been determined to crush the rebels by a concerted attack, the Government to use the heaviest guns available and bring to a swift end the next big action. He said the Government would force the attack from all sides.
    On the part of the contending forces last night was used in strengthening their positions and setting up reinforcements and supplies. The Government tried to cut off the water supply of Diaz at the arsenal, but he took possession of several artesian wells in the vicinity of his stronghold. He was also able to get some provisions, despite the effort to hem him in. He utilized the night hours in further fortifying his army.
    The Federal force was strengthened during the night by reinforcements of both artillery and infantry, and the new arrivals took up positions along the streets leading to the scene of battle. Sentinels challenged all passersby at almost every corner. Soldiers of all branches of the service slept on the pavements, while large numbers of horses were tethered in the great Alameda Park, many of the cavalrymen lying down beside them.
    Alfonso Miranda, one of the Zapatista leaders, in the night entered the capital with 300 of his followers to aid Diaz. This force did not join the main body, but harassed the Federal troops at various points.

Exodus and Search for Food.
    The cessation of the fighting in the night was employed by non-combatants in fleeing from the danger zone or in endeavoring to get provisions. An exodus began as soon as the people realized that firing had definitely ceased for the time being.
    The search for food was desperate. Commerce has been utterly paralyzed since Sunday and the fronts of the stores are all shuttered and boarded up. Those residents who were able to do so immediately after the incursion of Diaz into the city hurriedly stocked their homes with provisions even at the high prices prevailing, but an enormous proportion of the poorer people were unable to pay the prices demanded.
    Those who usually supply the city markets fear now to enter with such commodities as milk and vegetables, which are practically unobtainable at any price. As an example of the increased prices charcoal, which is used as fuel by 90 per cent. of the population, has risen from 50 cents to $2 per sack.
    Groups of the women of the lower class early this morning followed the cavalry, scraping up from the pavement grain by grain the corn which the horses had spilled while feeding.
    Looters were also out in the night. A number of robberies were effected by the lawless elements which were emboldened by the lack of police. Numbers of Mexican boys and men took great risks in searching the ruins of houses which had been battered by the artillery.
    The protest of the diplomats took the form of a demand that the firing zone should be limited, but it accomplished nothing. Both Madero and Diaz evaded responsibility, each placing the blame on the other, and characterizing the attitude of the opposing side as barbarous and in violation of the rules of civilized warfare, Diaz insisted that he had to direct his fire at the points from which he was attacked, and called attention to the fact that the Government cannon were located in the heart of the business section and the thickly settled residential districts.
    To President Madero the diplomats said that they had come to protest in behalf of their Governments against a continuance of "the barbarous and inhuman warfare." They recited the great damage done to many residences, and the fact that the American Consulate had been demolished by Government shells, and pointed out that the American Embassy was filled with Americans driven from their homes by a bombardment of which no notice had been given. All the Governments, they added, were deeply concerned for their subjects and citizens.
    Ambassador Wilson later, speaking for the commission, said that President Madero was visibly embarrassed and confused, but attempted to place the responsibility on Diaz. The President had given some glowing accounts of the measures which were to be taken, and expressed the belief that the rebellion would be quelled by to-morrow night. Mr. Wilson declared that Madero's words had not made a favorable impression on the diplomatic representatives.
    To Gen. Diaz the Ministers, after urging the establishment of a neutral zone, said that much damage had been done by indiscriminate and reckless firing, which was seemingly directed over parts mainly occupied by foreigners, regardless of the residences of the foreign representatives.
    Ambassador Wilson said that President Taft was deeply apprehensive as to the results of this state of affairs, and that war vessels had been ordered to both Gulf and Pacific ports, as well as transports with marines, who, if necessary, would be brought to the capital for the purpose only of maintaining order and affording protection to the lives and property of the foreign residents.

Diaz Expresses His Regrets.
    Gen. Diaz replied to the representations of the diplomats that he regretted what had happened to the city and its inhabitants. He wished that, instead of attacking the arsenal from a distance as the Government was doing, he had gone directly to the place and had taken it in twenty-five minutes. In so doing, he explained, he had at heart the desire to cause the city no harm, which was shown from the fact that, while it was in his power, he had refrained from going to the National Palace, which he now felt certain he will be able to take if the Government fails to yield without his resorting to that expedient.
    He explained that it was not a matter of personal ambition on his part to overthrow the Government, but a desire to voice the sentiments of the whole nation. If he succeeded he would allow the people to choose their representative; he would withdraw to private life. Referring to the firing, Diaz said that the Government had placed its cannon disregarding the fact that many were in position in the thickly populated sections. Most of the damage done by these guns was from shots which fell short.
    President Madero says he would not yield in any case, but if Diaz persisted in the bombardment he would move the capital to San Luis Potosi or some other point. That attempts were being made to arrange for the removal was indicated by the statement of an American who traveled with Minister of Fomento Manuel Bonilla from San Luis Potosi. He quoted the Minister as saying he had been attempting to arrange with the Governor of that State for the proclamation of the national capital there, but he found the Governor obstinate.

Aid Foreign Women and Children.
    Not doubting the intentions of the Government to resume the action on an augmented scale, and reminded from moment to moment by the desultory and scattering fire from both sides that the homes in almost every quarter of the city would be rendered unsafe, the foreigners, particularly the Americans, British, and Germans, sent throughout this afternoon automobiles under white flags to collect the women and children and transfer them to the section around the American Embassy, which was considered relatively free from danger. An American guard was on duty at the Embassy, and foreign residents without visible arms patroled this quarter, because of the total absence of police.
    Americans again to-day suffered during the height of the battle. Mrs. H. W. Holmes, the wife of an employe of Dun's Agency, was killed, and Mrs. Percy Griffiths, the wife of an employe of the street railway company, was mortally wounded, both of her legs being shot off. Allie Bland, a printer, was shot through the arm.
    Mrs. Holmes and Mrs. Griffiths were preparing dinner in their kitchen in an apartment building close to the arsenal, when a shell from the Federal lines burst through the walls, instantly killing Mrs. Holmes and leaving Mrs. Griffiths dying. Bland was walking along Independencia Avenue when he was struck by a rifle ball, apparently from the Federal lines.
    The Americans wounded in yesterday's action are improving.
    The escape of Consul General Arnold Shanklin and his staff from the American Consulate building yesterday was sensational. While the building was being subjected to bombardment Mr. Shanklin broke down two doors and was thus enabled to pass into and through an adjoining building and to make his exit on a cross street, which was at the moment free from rifle fire. The Consul General and his staff carried along with them a wounded man, who had been brought into the Consulate for temporary treatment.
    Stories of occasional robbery and looting by small mobs were reported during the day, but for the most part the criminal as well as the law-abiding element were too terrified by the incidents of the last two days to do anything but seek places of safety.

Damage Done by Bombardment.
    The offices of the cable company were kept open throughout the fighting, and this morning, when the shrapnel was beating in on all sides, and once a shell tore a gaping hole in the iron shutters over the windows, the force of Mexican operators continued without interruption their work of receiving and sending at tables not five feet away.
    The residents of Gore Court evacuated only after two shells had bored their way into the big apartment house. Dozens of buildings show great jagged holes, broken cornices, and torn-off corners, while hundreds show more insignificant marks of what has been the most terrible bombardment any city in North America has been subjected to since the adoption of modern high-power cannon.
    In some streets the overhead wires dangle from posts, the fire from one side or the other having sheared off many of the supports. In the Alameda, the great wooded park in the centre of the city, the trees were mowed down by the vicious fire. Small twigs and limbs covered the ground in places — evidence of the heaviness of the small-arm fire.
    In the side of the building of the Mutual Life Insurance Company a great hole was torn. Over the building during the battle the British and American flags were flying. Most of the buildings suffering the greatest damage are owned by Mexicans, but in many Americans and other foreigners have offices.
    Considerable damage was done to the National Theatre, now under construction.

Fine Marksmanship of Rebels.
    It was at this point that the rebels dismounted a Federal cannon. Another, five squares below was also dismounted, while others to the northwest suffered a similar fate. This evidence of expert marksmanship on the part of the gunners in the rebel ranks was further demonstrated in the sweeping shrapnel fire over the higher buildings in the centre of the city. These operations were intended to free the district from troublesome riflemen and machine guns. One section of these was in the tower of the Sixth Police Station. A few blocks further east the Gore office building was used for the same purposes, while other structures within the same area harbored little quick firers.