The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-04-15
Killing Of Americans on y. S.
Soil Creates Acute
Situation.
BRITISH MARINES LANDED
Congress May Have to Act on
tho New Developments
In Mexico.

"AShLNoTON, April l4.-lno killing a
two Americans and the wounding Of
eleven others near Doug Ariz.. yes
terday by wild bullets from Mexican rifles
brong ght quick action from this Govern
ment. The State Department, under
the direction Of the President, served
notice on the Mexican Government that
the United States would hold II account
able for injury inflicted upon American
life or property on this side Of the border
by the firing Of Mexican Federal troops.
Al the same time similar official warn
ing was served upon the leaders OF the
revolution. This action by the American
Government s by all odds the most force
ful taken since the ordering Of the 10000
troops to.the Mexican border. No attempt
is made TO conceal the seriousness Of tho
situation along the border. which is de-
scribed in an official White House state
ment as acute"
The representations which the State
Department made TO the Mexican Gov
ernment are the strongest that have yet
passed between the two countries in ro-
gard to the Mexican conditions and are
certain to irritate the situation. The
occurrences near Douglas yesterday were.
however. of such a character in the
Presidents opinion as to demand prompt
action and the serving OF notice upon
the Mexican Government and the In
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Government to protect it's own citizens
1t il understood that the messages
conveyed to the combatants in Mexico
are to the effect that q recurrence Of the
Douglas incident or one similar to II would
call for action on the part OF the United
States to protect American lives This
is an intimation that the United States,
in the event of continued disturban ces
of this character, will feel called upon
to Use force to protect it's rights.
OF almost equal importance with the
forceful action taken by this G government
is the news received at the State Depart
ment late this afternoon that an English
warship had landed thirty marines and
Mo kim gun at San Quentin. in Lower
California, to protect that town from an
attack by insurgents. This information
came from the American Consulate at
Ensefiada. where the so-called Socialist
party is threatening the lives and property
of foreigners.
This is the first instance Of a foreign
Power landing an armed force in Mexico
and it is regarded here as further in.
dication OF the developing seriousness
OF the Mexican situation. The State
Department has no information a. to the
English interests at San Quentin or the
details OF the occurrences which led to the
interference OF the British marines. Il
is believed. however. that the marines
were landed TO defend English lives.
The threatened attack upon the town by
the insurgents failed to matcrialixe end
the force Of marines returned to the Eng
lish warship. the Shearwater.
kilograms from towns all along the
border poured in on the White House
and State Department to-day protesting
against the sacrifice Of American lives at
Douglas. One OF these kilograms came
from L. p Grindell. secretary Of tho
Douglas Chamber of Commerce and
Mines. 1t was addressed to the President
and read as follows:
During an engagement between. tho
Federals and insurrectos at Aqua Pfiets.
Mexico, yesterday. one mile from Douglas,
two Americans we're killed and eleven
wounded. including some children at
tending to their own business here In
Douglas. Thousands Of bullets fell In
our city. passing through residences and
endangerng life and property. 10 there
no way by which Americans can be pro.
teoted in the peaceful pursuit OF their
affairs' Expect more fighting on the
line at any time, Combatants fought
within ten feet OF the American line yes
terday"
To this telegram President Taft 70.
piled through his secretary as follows:
Your telegram to the President re-
ceived. He is much distressed at the
situation as you have described it, He
the Secretary OF War to take steps by
which such a deplorable occurrence -
that Of yesterday at Douglas may be
avoided in tho future. In the meantime
the President sincerely hopes that the
Chamber Of Commerce and the local
authorities at Douglas may use all in.
fiuences possible upon your citizens to
keep as far away as possible from the
scene OF lighting and to avoid taking
sides in order not to aggravate q situation
already acute.
CHARLES d. HILLEs. Secretary"
The President and other officials were
considerably aroused over the fatalities
at Douglas yesterday. and soon after the
receipt Of the telegram calling upon the
President for protection. Secretary OF
War Dickinson. Attorney General Wicker
cham and acting Secretary OF State
Huntington Wilson were summoned to
the White House The complete reports
Of the army oficers and Of the agents OF
the Department OF Justice upon the On.
gagement at Aqua Prieta. which 10 Just
across the border from Douglas. we're
submttted 10 the President
Tho conference lasted for several hours
and At its conclusion thelstats Department
vaa inatai0tAd n aApvA noNl<A - -