Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-15
Government to Take Steps
in Retaliation for Firing
on Americans in Douglas,
Ariz., Late Yesterday.
u. S. TROOPS TAKE
HAND IN FIGHT
Federals, Defeated at Aqua
Prieta, Surrendered to U.
S. Forces, Who Were I'm
der Fire in Engagement.

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Mexican government, according to the
view of the state department, will be
held accountable for the loss of life
and injury to Americans of Douglas,
Ariz.. during the fighting between fed
erals and insurrectos at Aqua Prieta
yesterday. No matter whether the fire
of the federals or the insurrectos In
flicted the injury, it is the federal
government to which the United States
will look for reparation.
As soon as ohicial reports upon the
fighting and the casualties sustained
by Americans shall have been received,
representations will be made to the
Mexican government, it is said, and in
due course the claims Of those in
jured will be presented. It is undoubt-
edly true, however, that In some cases
Mexico will have a counter claim of
.contributory negligence on the part of
the injured Americans. That there will
be some justice in such contention
Is argued from the fact that Ameri-
cans took their stands in such close
proximity to the fighting as to place
their lives In Jeopardy. On the other
hand, many Of the wounded sustained
their hurts while In pursuit OF their
uaual business In the streets or build
lngs OF Douglas.
AS q renewal OF fighting at Aqua
Prieta Is looked for, 1t Is expected that
formal notice will be served upon both
Se,derals and insurrectos that Ameri-
this side Of the border must not be en-
dangered. i.
shrewd Move on Rebels Part.
it will not be the first time during
this insurrection that notice has been
served. Military commanders near
points were battles have been fought
have advised the Mexicans to regard
the safety Of Americans.
The shrewdness Of the insurrectos
in making their attack from the north
Of Aqua Prieta, SO as to force its de-
tenders to fre toward Douglas, has
commotion. They are believed
to have recognized the possibility that
such a movement might result in COM
plications and the ENHANCEMENT OF the
Mexican government with that Of the
United States.
Secretary OF State Knox was at ths
white house at $3.50 o'clock this morn
Ing consulting with the president about
the situation arising from the battle
of Aqua Prieta. The conference was a
protracted one.
The cabinet meets today and the
situation may be discussed by the
president with all of his advisers.
Details Of Yesterdays Battle.
Aqua Prfeta, Mex, April 14.-(via
Douglas, Ariz.) z.)-Revolutionists under
"Red" Lopez today hold this town,
which they captured yesterday after
a three hours battle with Mexican
federal troops. Reinforcements are
expected by the insurrectos, who in
tend holding their advantage at any
cost. The town, as port of entry, is
an important one, and the insurrectos
hope, by keeping it, to secure recogni-
ton from the United States of their
belligerency. Further fighting is ext
pected. One man from Douglas was
killed and eight wounded, one NOR
tally, by bullets fired in the combat.
The loss to the engaging forces was
about equally divided and amounts to
fifteen dead and about sixty wounded
FederaIs Surrender to Americans.
Two OF the federal officers and 29
Of their men fed across the interna-
tional line, where they were disarmed
by the American troops, and Captain
Gaujot OF Troop X, first cavalry, U. S.
A., crossed the line with message to
the remaining federals from their Off
GERS, telling them to surrender. This
they refused to do for some time, but
finally consented, with the agreement
of the insurrecto commander, to sur
render to the American soldiers and
Tor their munitions of war to be turned
over to their victorious adversaries.
Thousands of Americans stood on
he border witnessing the fight. seem
ngly careless Of danger.
Fourteen Americans fought with the
nsurrecto force and one Of them, J. c.
Edwards, Virginian. was killed.
Two Americans Dead.
Agura Prieta Is the terminal Of the
Nacozari railroad into Sonora and is
The most important point on the bor-