New-York tribune., 1906-06-03
1rnY1r1NS Ask r. 8 AID SHOT WITH OWN PISTOL
Secretary Root Decides american
Troops Mast Not Cross Line.

washington, June 2-The State Department
received to-day a most urgent telegraphic ap-
peal for help from the American Consul at Ca
zaanea, Mexico. The department also received d.
rect application from the Governor Of the State
ut Sonora, Mexico for help from the American
side, most extraordinary occurrence.
The direct appeal was the subject Of hasty
consultations between Mr.. Root. the chief Of
staff. Brigadier General Bell. and the law Off
Ger Of the War Department, inasmuch the
question of the right OF the United States TO
send troops into q friendly state IN doubt.
Meanwhile the officers Of the General Staff made
ready TO execute any orders that might be is
sued -Four troops Of cavalry are at Fort HUI
achuca, just north of the international boun-
dairy in Arizona. and the star officers assumed
that by hard riding this force could reach
Cananea within half a day after receiving
oers
Secretary Root sent the following message TO
Ambassador Thompson, IN the City Of Mexico:
Galbrath, consular agent at Cananea, tele-
graphs that American citizens are beiIlg MUIR
dered and property dynamited at that point and
asks immediate assistance. Press dispatches
This morning report strike riots have resulted in
race conflict between Mexicans and Americans
Bring TO the attention OF the Mexican govern
meut and ask prompt and effective control TO
protect American citizens. Say 10 the Mexican
government, that if the matter appears to be Of
serious character as dispatches seem to indi-
be glad Of any suggestion from the government
Of Mexico as TO the course which we nav take
10 prevent violation Of international obligations
on the part Of our citizens TO help promote peace
and safety
The Mexican government has always been ex-
ceedingly jealous Of any invasion Of its territory
by American troops and even in the trouble
some days Of Indian warfare Bexicos consent
for American troops 70 run down hostile Indians
h when they crossed into Mexico was obtained
III only with great difficulty.
Major Porter, assistant judge advocate gen
eral, furnished such documentary evidence as his
Office afforded bearing upon this point.
As result the state Department officials were
satisfied that they had no right 10 act on their
own initiative and dispatch American trooDs
into Mexico in time of peace no r7at+ar -
great the emergency unless these troons we're
called for by the Mexican government tbro,,eI
constitutional channels. MOI even tba co,-arrSo,
or the Mexican State Of Sonora y-ac s,,+t,o.iaos
20 make a legal call for the rsa ~ A,r,ariar :
troops, and If he felt the need Of that kind a
heIp before his reQusitIon could be bonoref
by our government Il must have baar +al,ar -,
Rno transmitted through his own Foreign Office
The oHlclals were considerably disturbed h,
press report that Major Watts cor1n1ari5er a.
6Iachuca, AriZ, had answered the anDeai y
Consular Agent Galbraith and started foTrl7,,-;+t
with his troopers for Cananea, leaving the wa
department to pass on the legality and eyDe
oleAcy or his action afterward. An inoljiry, nc,
Immediately teegraphed by General Bell r
was learned that the organization of a nossa a.
Naco by the Mexican government of coro~e
was the foundation for the report An order baJ
already been sent by the War Department re,
calling the troops.
The Mexican Embassy IN this city is with
out Official adVices concerning the situation a
Cananea~ Mr. Casasus, the Mexican Ambas
sador. sailed for Europe last week and M
Canseco, secretary to the embassy knows n
the riots only through press dispatches
me trouhie Is very Tegrettable' said Mr.