Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-04-18
THE MEXICAN REVOLUTIONS
BLOODIEST DAY
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and arousing Mexicans against Ameri-
cans now in Mexico. In view Of the
conditions there, the president felt that
he could not order the troops at Doug
las to cross the border, but he again
emphasized the ACCESSIBILITY Of the peo-
pie Of Douglas avoiding exposing them
selves to flying bullets.
The message to the president was
dated Douglas, 1925 o'clock tonight. 1t
read:
The President, Washington, D. c.:
AS result OF today's fighting across
the international line, but within gun
shot range Of the heart Of Douglas, five
Americans were wounded on this side
Of the line. Everything points to a
repetition of the casualties tomorrow,
and while the 1ederals seem disposed
10 keep their agreement Tot to fire into
Douglas. the position of the isurrectOs
is such that when fighting occurs on
the east and southeast of the en-
trenchments people in Douglas are put
in danger Of their lives
In my judgment radical measures
are needed to protect our innocent peo-
pie, and if anything can be done 10
stop the fighting at Aqua Prieta the
situation calls for such action. 1t is
impossible to safeguard the people of
Douglas unless the town can be va
Gated. Can anything be done to relieve
the situation, which is now acute?
(Signed) RICHARD Z. SLOAN,
Governor
The reply Of the president, prompt
" transmitted. read:
ITO Governor Sloan.
Douglas, Arizona:
Your dispatch received. Have
made urgent demands upon Mexican
government to issue instructions 10
prevent firing across the border by
the Mexican federal troops and am
waiting reply. Meantime 1 have sent
direct warning to the Mexican ana
insurgent forces near Douglas.
I infer from your dispatch that
both parties attempt TO heed the |
warning, but that in the strained |
situation and eXigencies of the con !
test wild bullets still find their way |
into Douglas. The situation might |
justify me in sending our troops to |
the fighting or TO fire upon both com |
batants from the American side.
But if l take this step 1 must |
face the responsibility Of resistance |
and greater bloodshed, and also the /
danger of having our motives miscon-
strued and misrepresented and of |
thus inflaming Mexican popular in
dignation against many thousands of
dizing their lives and property
The pressure for general interven-
ton under such conditions it might |
not be practicable to resist. 1t is
impossible to foresee or reckon the /
consequences of such a course and
we must use the greatest self restraint
10 avoid il.
Pending my urgent representation
to the Mexican government l cannot,
therefore. order the troops at Douglas
to cross the border, but I must ask
you and the local authorities in case
the same danger seems to threaten,
To direct the people of Douglas to
place themselves where bullets can
not reach them and thus avoid cas-
ualties.'
4 am lOath to endanger Americans
in Mexico where they are necessarily
exposed by taking a radical step to
prevent injury to Americans on our
side OF the border who can avoid it
by a temporary inconvenience.
(Signed) WILLIAM H TAFT"
The president found the Mexican
situation demanding his attention un-
til a late hour. He spent the evening
at the theater. Returning to the
White House, he plunged anew into
consideration Of the problems con-
fronting him.