Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-16
NOT TO CROSS THE BORDER
Commander at Douglas Authorized
to Call for More Forces.
STEPS TO PREVENT TROUBLE
Mexican Insurgents Give Assurances
That Fighting Will Be Done Out
of Range of the Border.

Brought by the battle of Aqua
Prieta to a full realization of the
danger to which American settlements
along the southern frontier are exposed
by the civil strife Of Mexico, President
Taft has moved swiftly and vigorously
along the lines Of precaution to pre-
vent any repetition Of the Douglas,
Ariz., episode. when casualties to sew
eral Americans were caused by bullets
from fighting Mexicans.
With the various rumors floating into
Washington Of the imminence Of an
other conflict at Aqua Prieta, the Presi-
dent late yesterday afternoon ordered
the entire regiment of the 9Th Cavalry
to Arizona from Des Moines. Iowa, to
reinforce the posts there. This will
and 500 men to the guard in Arizona.
One squadron, which consists of three
troops Of sixty-f1ve men each. will be
stationed at Douglas, a second squadron
at Nogales and the third squadron at
Huachuca
Positive orders for no soldiers Of the
United States army to cross the from
tier into Mexico have been given by
the War Department. No officer Is to
be permitted even to carry a message
across the line. and will employ a
civilian messenger for any such pur-
pose should occasion arise. The troops
are to devote their energies to pre-
serving order on the American side Of
the line and prevent activities of
Of neutrality.
Intervention Not Contemplated.
Even IL there should be further fight
ing at any point along the border. with
consequent loss Of life to Americans
on American soil, the troops will not
cross the frontier to stop the fighting.
Such incidents are to be left to dip
lomatic adjustment and claim for rep
aration. No Intervention is con-
templated. according to an authoritative
The prospect Of further fighting at
Aqua Prieta has not been presented to
the War Department in any dispatches
from Capt. GaujOt, in command OF the
other correspondent in that section Of
the border country. The report that the
revolutionists have been reinforced and
are now armed with a machine gun and
upon Aqua Prieta Is not confirmed by
any information received at the depart
ment.
The commanding officer at Douglas has
been directed to call for reinforcements
from nearby stations Of troops in the
event that circumstances seem to re-
quire a larger force before he is reg
ularly reinforced by the arrival of 9Th
Cavalry men, The commanding general
of the Department Of Colorado has been
instructed, If In his opinion 1t Is deemed
advisable, to send additional troops to
Douglas.
Both Sides Equally to Blame.
Federals and revolutionists were equal
ly to blame for the casualties in Douglas
during the fighting at Aqua Prieta, &C.
cording to Capt. Gautot. commanding at
Douglas. Douglas was under fire at var
ious times during Thursdays engage
ment. he says. due to the disposition of
the federal and revolutionary forces.
He wires that he has notified the lead
ers Of revolutionary forces in the vicinity
to conduct future hostile operations on
the border In a manner that will pre-
vent a repetition Of the occurance. He
suggests that the best way to avoid cas-.
ualties on the American side Of the ..ne
| Is to warn federals and reyolutionists to
adopt methods OF warfare that will make
| impossible the killing or wounding Of
| Americans or the destruction of property
| on American soil
| There is no sign OF drunkenness, dis
| order or piliage to any extent in the camp
of the revolutionists, wires Capt. Gautot.
The captors OF Aqua Prieta are we'll be-
haved, he says.
Declares Report Exaggerated.
John Doan. a citizen Of Douglas, Ariz.,
wires to the War Department that Ameri.
cans in the army OF Red Lopez were re-
| sponsible for the gunfire that caused
| destruction in Douglas, and expresses
| the opinion that the gravity of the sit
| uation was much exaggerated by the SEQ
| rotary of the Douglas Chamber of Com
merce. who asked for government pro.
| lection.
The fictitious activity of few in
dividuals," Mr.. DOan telegraphs, "caused
the secretary OF the Douglas Chamber
/ Of Commerce to send a sensational tele-
| gram to the President reciting some of
| Thur sday's casualties and asking II there
was any way the citizens Of Douglas
could be protected in the pursuit Of their
private business. The telegram is over
drawn and misleading.
THE United States Army officers at
Douglas have complete control Of the
| situation. In all probability there will be
no further engagements that will direct
| line Of fire into Douglas as occurred
| Thursday.
THE line Of fire that fell In Douglas
was caused by the company OF Red
Lopez running along a railroad ditch d.
rectly between Douglas and the Next
can Notifications The company il com
posed largely OF American citizens in the
insurrection army and these Americans
| lighting with the insurrectos we're the
direct cause of the casualties that oc-
| CURED at Douglas.
You are at liberty to use this infor-
nation for any purpose you desire"
| Assurances From the Rebels.
Aqua PRIErA. Mexico, April 1B.-rhe
hal nhtn OF ha~
from tho United States thaG they SHAH