The Oskaloosa herald., 1911-03-30
j. S. STARTS PROBE
| INTO EXECUTIONS
viii Investigate Fate Of Ameri-
cans in Mexico.
DIeNoWITTY STORY is DENIED
Grandfather Of Man Reported Killed
In Mexico Declares He 10 Alive
-Thirty-six Slain In
Battle.

cognizance of press reports that four
Americans had been executed by
Mexican soldiers in Chihuahua and
four others at Aqua Prieta. the state
department instructed the United
States consular officers in the vicinity
OF the two places to investigate.
The consul at Chihuahua was in
structed to inquire into the report
that John Hamilton Dignowitty and
three other Americans had been shot
TO death in chihuahua under orders
of a Mexican drumhead court.martial
The consul at Nogales will investi-
gate the reported execution of four
Americans-Adams, Young, Howard
and Shanley-captured with the insur-
gents at Aqua Prieta.
State department officials an.
nounced they had no official informa-
ton of the reported executions.
Mexican Cabinet Resigns.
Mexico, March 25.-Official notice
has been issued that the entire cabi-
net has placed their designations in
the hands of President Diaz. The
president said he would take the res
ignations for the moment. using the
word convenient" meaning that they
would receive his consideration.
There is no authoritative source for
the theory that Limaptour will be
asked to form a new ministry, but 1t
is believed by many well-informed res.
idents of the city.
No Offense Intended.
San Antonio, Tex, March 25--In a
full report on the incident Of Mexi-
cans firing on the United States
troops stationed In the Big Ben coun.
try, the statement is made that those
firing the shots were evidently labor
ing under Misrepresentation and that
no offense to the United States was
intended.
It is the opinion of Capt. Andrew e.
Williams. Third cavalry, now sta
toned at Preside, that the shots
came from insurrectos, and that the
United States troops were mistaken
for Mexican soldiers. He came here
in person to report to Brigadier Gen.
eral Duncan. No one was injured.
Denies oignowitty Was Slain.
That John Hamilton Dignowitty
was executed in Mexico is denied by
his grandfather. William Dignowitty
of this city, who says the story sent
out of San Antonio had no foundation
In fact. He has been in communica.
ton with his grandson recently and
said at the date the alleged execution
took place he knows the man reported
executed was alive.
Recruits are now pouring into camp,
being rushed here as rapidly as pos
sible. Within fifteen days the fighting
force now in San Antonio will be up
to its full strength and ready to take
the field In the shortest possible time
and in fighting trim for actual con.
fiCt.
Reports from the border are to the
effect that the rebels are menacing
Las Vegas. This is where the out.
break occurred in July, 1908, and is
rebel hotbed
Battle at Americans Mine,
Aqua, Prieta, Mexico. March 25.-
Five hundred rebels have been defeat.
ed at La Colorado, a mining camp
which they took without trouble
few days ago, and immediate danger
of an attack upon Hermosillo seems
to have been averted. A fierce battle
lasted all day Wednesday and ter.
minated in the retreat of the rebels.
The government report places the
rebel dead at thirty-six and federal
dead at eight. The rebels concen.
trated from the south, evidently plan.
ming a junction with Juan Cabral's
band of $50 marching from Carlo.
A federal force commanded by Luis
Medino Barron, chief of the rurales In
Sonora, with four underofflcers and
34o men, left Hermosillo for the south
to retake the town, which has a popu.
lation of 5000, many of whom are
Americans ..---.. .-.-.-...-..-...
Fight Lasts Nine Hours.
La Colorado is thirty miles south.
east of Hermosillo. The federals ar.
rived in the morning. The country
about is fiat and as the attack was
made In the open there soon was
spirited fighting all around the city
and later in the streets. After nine
hours Of lighting the rebels withdrew,
leaving the city again in the hands of
the federals.