The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-10
Mexican Tdngle Alarms
 T.dft's Official AdDisers
JUAREz ATTACK
 ISEXP[A|NEDbY GEN. MADER0

El Paso., May 9-Gen. F. |. Madero, Jr., late tonight issued a statement explaining the causes of the attack on Juarez and the conflicting interpretations which have been put on his leadership. He attributes the attack principally to the vague prom ises of President Diaz in his manifesto as opposed to the precise promises of revolutionists to the federal government The statement says:
 "I ought to make statement about that which took place yesterday and will do so with frankness. A skirmish of my outposts with the enemy and quick re- tirement of the latter from their posi- tions inspired a few of my brave troops to pursue their victory, though sustained by much smaller number.
 "Once within the city ranks, however, they were increased by number of sym pathizers with whom they met among the people and who unitedly awaited the first signal of attack to unite with my forces. Also there passed numerous Mex ican sympathizers from Fl Paso
 "As that morning intended to ask for a cessation of hostilities with the federal government, did all that was possible to turn back my troops, and accordingly sent an officer with white flag who was
 
 upon by the enemy
 '1t was an indignity to some of my so- diers who wished to reach their com panions. Nevertheless, I made strong efforts to make the people return but there had united to my forces several persons from Fl Paso who were not sol- ders and little accustomed to obeying orders.
 Afterwards. not having arranged cessation of hostlities and having re- ceived news that the manifesto of Gen eral Diaz was vague and permitted of diversion in the operations, l hoped to take advantage of my military advantages which the situation presented and though the forces of the enemy had several can non and machine guns and occupied good positions, 1 nevertheless resolved to order an attack on Juarez.
 My chiefs did not make this attack without having received express orders from me. If my conduct has been in- terpreted equivocally, 1t Is because. hav- ing nothing to conceal, I permit the news paper men to walk about in my head quarters as well as numerous other per- sons who are not affiliated with us and many times they do not understand my words or orders and put various inter- pretations upon them.
 "At o'clock in the afternoon l gave
 
 for an attack. I suppose that some of my chiefs did not rightly interpret my order and went to the attack immediate- ly and ordered them to suspend opera lions until an hour could be fixed and because I wished to notify General Ma varro by telephone of the attack.
 q approved the movement for arrang- ing my men and they, as well as the officers, showed submission to my orders:
 If I wavered much in attacking Juarez 1t was for fear of some international complications and even though such com picatons would be against the govern ment of General Diaz, who is my adver- sary, I did not wish to involve my coun- try In any difficulty. But again, since the attack had been begun, thes conse- quences could not be taken into account, since I was continuing to apportion to myself the military advantages of the situation.
 'If I should triumph I shall not claim for myself any of the glory, for 1t will be due to the valor of my soldiers and the bravery of my officers but if I claim all the responsibility to the people. in case the attack is military or political failure or whatever kind 1t may be, I have a quiet conscience because have acted with good faith and right inten- tions.
 With this motive sincerely await the verdict of public opinion. With refer ence to negotiations of peace I always have manifested disposition to carry them to conclusion and if they have not arrived at any arrangement it is not due to my ambition. as I am disposed to renounce my position as provisional pres ident, but because of the ambition and aloofness of General Diaz. who has been asked by the national will to retire.
 The promises which he makes in his manifesto are vague and there is little hope that they will be fulfilled If we take into consideration that he has laughed at promises much more precise.
 FRANCISCO I. MADERO, JR.'