Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-02
APPEALS FOR HELP
PROPOSED TO SEND TROOPS INTO
MEXICO.

The State Department has received
most urgent. telegraphic appeal for help
from the American consular agent, Mr..
Galbraith, at Cananea, Mexico. in which
the consul says aid from United states
absolutely essential" The State Depart
ment also has received direct application
from the governor OF the state of Sonora,
Mexico, for help from the American side
a most extraordinary occurrence. The di-
rect appeal was the subject of hasty con-
sultations today between the Secretary or
State, the chief OF staff, Brig. Gen. Bell,
and the law officer of the War Depart
ment, inasmuch as the question of the
right of the United States to send troops
into friendly state is In doubt.
Meanwhile the officers of the general stan
making ready to execute any orders
that may be issued as the result of Secre-
tary Roots decision. -Four troops of cav
airy are at Fort Huachuca, just north OF
the international boundary in Arizona. ami
the staff officers assume that by hard rid
ing this force could reach Cananea w,tn,n
a half day after they receive orders.
Communication Is about to be opened with
Maj. Gen. Baldwin, commanding the south
western division. at his headquarters IN
Oklahoma City. and he in turn will give
the necessary instructions, in case 1t Is de-
cided to use American troops to Brig Gen
Constance Williams, at the headquarters
YER
The official dispatches upon which the
State and War Departments are expected to
act are as follows:
'NACO. Ariz., June l.
Secretary Of State, Washington:
Send assistance Immediately to Cananea
Sonora, Mexico. American citizens are be-
ing murdered and property dynamited. and
we must have help Send answer to Naco.
''GALBRAITH"
Another dispatch from the same official
was received this morning and reads as fol-
lows:
imperative that immediate assistance be
rendered to American citizens at Cananea,
Sonora, Mexico"
Secretary Root, upon receipt of these dis
patches, sent the following message to Am
bassador Thompson. in the City Of Mexico:
Galbraith. consular agent at Cananea,
teiegraphs that American citizens are being
murdered and property dynamited at that
point and asks immediate assistance Press
dispatches this morning report strike riots
have resulted in race conflict between Mexi-
cans and Americans. Bring to the atten-
ton OF the Mexican government and ask
prompt and effective control to protect
American citizens. Say to the Mexican gov
ernment that IL the matter appears OF as
serious character as dispatches seem to
indicate the government of the United
States would be glad of any suggestion
from the government of Mexico as to the
course which we may take to prevent
violation of international obligation on
the part OF our citizens to help prompt
peace and safety"
No Right to Send Troops.
After looking up the treaties and agree
ments with Mexico the officials were salts
fed that they had no right to act upon
their own initiative In the present instance
and dispatch American troops into Mexico
no matter how great the emergency, unless
these troops were called for by the Mex
lean government through constitutional
channels.
Having satisfied themselves of the lImita-
tions thus placed upon their liberty of ac-
tion, the officers here were considerably
disturbed by a press report to the effect
that Maj. Watts, at Forst Huachuca, Ariz
and near to the boundary had answered
the appeal Of Consular Agent Galbfaith
and started forthwith with his troopers for
Cananea, leaving the War Department to
pass upon the legality and expediencv of
his action afterward.
An inquiry was Immediately telegraphed
by Gen. Bell. chief of staff, to Huachuca as
to whether troops had actually started. and
in case that should have been the case they
were to have been Immediately recalled *
possible. Later and more reliable press ad-
vices explaining that the organization of
the posse at Naco by the Mexican govern
ment of Sonora was the foundation for this
report were received by the officials with
relief.
The Mexican embassy In this city is with
out official advices concerning the situation
at Cananea. Mr. Casasus, the Mexican am
bassador sailed for Europe last week and
Mr.. Canseco. secretary to the embassy.
knew of the riots at the important mining
center only through press dispatches.
The trouble Is very regrettable" said
Mr.. Canseeo. There was a strike at Ca
nanea once before which threatened to result
In serious situation. With such a large
body Of men working In one place friction
Is doubtless unavoidable."