22 Mexican Rebels Die In A Hot Fight.

New York Times 100 years ago today, June 1, 1913:
Federals Surprise Columbia Garrison and Crumple It with Machine Guns.
SIX HUERTA MEN KILLED
Carranzistas Flee Over Border — Doubt Expressed That Felix Diaz Will Be Elected.
    LAREDO, Texas, May 31.— Federal forces numbering 250 men surprised almost 200 Carranzistas at Columbia, twenty-five miles above Laredo, to-day. They poured in on the rebels a heavy fire from machine guns, killing twenty-two men and wounding 'many others. Six Federals met death. The rebel force, which had been stationed near Columbia for months, conducted a government of its own, collecting customs duties on cattle.
    Federal forces under command of Col. Geronimo Villareal left Nuevo Laredo last night for Columbia, arriving at 7 o'clock this morning, before the rebels realized they were in the vicinity. The insurgents soon became demoralized and fled. Twenty of them crossed the Rio Grande at Minerva and were arrested by the American patrol.
    Sheriff Sanchez of Webb County took charge of the prisoners' arms and the men were permitted to return to Mexico. It was reported another battle had taken place at Hidalgo, twenty miles above Columbia, but that was not verified.

    MEXICO CITY, May 31.— No intimation has been given by Provisional President Huerta as to when he would issue the decree calling a Presidential election. It is considered certain that he will not delay long the formality of issuing an official call, as both Houses of Congress have passed a measure fixing Oct. 26 as the date.
    General Felix Diaz is the only candidate who has entered his name for election to the Presidency. It is regarded as probable that he will be met by the opposition of Manuel Calero, formerly Mexican Ambassador to Washington, and possibly that of Francisco de la Barra, Minister for Foreign Affairs, as the representative of the Catholic Party.
    The tone of a large part of the press and the expressions of opinion of many persons, including friends of Felix Diaz, indicate that his popularity has waned so that there is little chance of his election.

    CHIHUAHUA CITY, Mexico, May 31. — Gen. Samuel R. Mercado, recently recalled from Parral, was appointed to-day Military Governor of Chihuahua State, he succeeds Gen. Antonio Rabago, who has been called to Mexico City.
    Col. Romero with 1,800 Federals is marching south in an effort to restore rail and wire communication along the Mexican Central Railway as far as Torreon. In a fight with insurgents under Villa, Herrera, and Hernandez at Saucillo, the Government reports twenty-five rebels killed and several taken prisoners.
    The Constitutionalists are concentrated at Santa Rosalia, while the Government troops are repairing burned bridges at Conchos. The Government column is carrying several pieces of heavy artillery. The insurgent strength is estimated at 1,400, well mounted but poorly armed, and with no heavy artillery.

    SAN ANTONIO, Texas, May 31.— Aroused by reports that M. I. Vought, formerly of St. Paul. Minn., one of the best-known Americans in Northern Mexico, was injured severely in protecting his wife and her sister, Miss O'Keefe of Topeka, Kan., from an attack by two Mexican soldiers in his home in Xicotencatl, State of Tamaulipas, John Warren of this city sent urgent telegrams today to Senator Culberson and Gov. Colquitt of Texas demanding protection for the women.
    Details regarding the attack were meagre. It was not known whether the soldiers were punished nor whether they were Federals or Constitutionalists. Mr. Warren, who is Vought's business associate, announced his intention of wiring Senator Morris Sheppard and the American Consulate in Tampico asking an investigation.