New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-15
Cautions Contending Forces Not
to Endanqer Lives of United
States Citizens.
ALSO ADVISES AMERICANS
Counsels Them to Keep Away
from Scene of Fighting and
to Avoid Taking
Sides.
OPPOSED TO INTERVENTION
Mr.. Taft Feels, However That the
Dispatch Of Troops to Texas Has
Been Entirely justified by
Recent Events.

htCcUI hVSHls.
From The Tribune Bureau
Washington. April la-After an i'm
portant conference regarding the killing
Of two Americans and tho wounding OF
eleven others I'm the town Of Douglas.
Ariz., as the result OF an enga cement on
the Mexican side OF the border. ths
President declared tonight that the sit
uation was one which called for extrems
moderation on the part OF all Americans.
and announced that steps had been
taken TO prevent a repetition Of the
tragedy.
In conference with the President vera
the Secretary Of War and the Attorney
General, and a part Of the time Assist
ant Secretary Wilson of the State De-
partment. Secretary Knox left for New
York Immediately after the' Cabinet
meeting. The President had before him
communication from f. p. Grndall.
the secretary Of the Chamber OF Com
merce of Douglas. the town which suf-
tered from the engagement across the
boundary.
Mr.. Grindal had reported TO tho
President by wire the casualties at Aqua
Prieta and asked, is there no way by
which Americans can he protected in the
peaceful pursuit of their affairs?"
In reply Secretary HIles telegraphed:
Your telegram To the President re-
ceved. He is much distressed at the
situation as you have described II. He
has directed the Secretary Of State and
the Secretary of War to take steps by
which such a deplorable occurrence "a
that Of yesterday at Douglas may be
avoided i'm the future. In the mean
time the President sincerely hopes that
the Chamber Of Commerce and the local
authorities Of Douglas may use all in
luence possible upon your citizens ~
keep as far away as possible from the
scene Of fighting and to avoid taking
sides. i'm order not to aggravate situa-
tion already acute.
Both Sides Warmed.
The closing line of this letter furnishes
the keynote Of the attitude Of the adj
nlinistration--the injunction that Ameri-
cans "avoid taking sides in order not In
aggravate situation already acute"
Mr.. Taft instructed the Department ot
State to communicate Immediately with
the Mexican government demanding
that precautions lr taken to avert ali
danger to Americans and a like COM
munication will he sent 10 the Mexican
authorities by the War Department.
The Attorney General is also sending 10
the Mexican insurgents similar COM
munication. This is done by the Depart
ment Of Justice because the Department
OF state cannot properly recognize the
revoutionists To do so would be- in
effect, 10 recognize their bellieerency.
There Is no disposition on the part ~
the administration To minimize the
gravity Of the situation in Mexico and
along the border It is realized that con-
dtions are most trying To Americans on
this side Of the Rio Grande. but IL Is also
believed that the insurgents would bs
glad OF any development which would
draw the United States into the situa.
ton. and IT Is the purpose of the Presss
dent and his advisers not 10 be made
rarity to the affair II il can possibly be
avoided.
Po this end the administration is even
urging that the press refrain from treat
ing the subject i'm a sensational manner
in order that the delicacy Of his position
may not be made the more difficult
II is appreciated, of course, that II Is
extremely difficult for contending forces
10 choose their battle grounds. and that
any efforts which may be made by the
regular Mexican forces 10 conserve the
safety of Americans across the border are
likely To be taken advantage of by ths
insurgents, but still the hope is cherished
that i'm the quick shifts Of warfare tha
scene of hostilities may be transferred
10 sections where Americans will not be
placed IN jeopardy.
Mr.. Taft Feels Justified.
President Taft feels now that his order
sending the troops 20 Texas has been
entirely justified by the developments
Of the last few DAYS. lie is more certain
than over that conditions in the Southern
republic are. 10 say fnP lPHN'. dldllnink
lie is hoping that there will he no need
for anv further movement TO the south.
Int If there should be. ne knows that
twenty thousand American troops are
near the Rio Grande. and he feels that
such a force as that IS not insignificant
The Presidents instructions were trans
mitted by the War Department late to-
dav 10 the commanding officer Of the De-
partmept Of Colorado. who is making his
Headquarters at Fort Huachuca. Ariz.
Tomorrow these instruction VIII he re-
ueated To General Duncan, commanding
the Department of Texas. and General
Bliss commanding the Department OF
California.
situations similar to that in Arizona
exist i'm California and Texas. An at
tack on Juarez. just across the border
from FL Paso. seems impending, and
consequently the commander of the De-
artment of Texas is charged with the
responsibility of seeing that the city ~
FL Paso is not endangered.