The Washington herald., 1911-03-15

Continued from Page One.
over to the Mexican soldiers, and ther
were transported to Jaurez, where they
were imprisoned on a charge of sedition
Strong influence was Immediately
brought to bear in behalf of both young
men, and in the investigation of the
case, Andrea Marid, a Mexican, testified
that another Mexican, whom he named
had informed him that he and two other
men had kidnapped BIatt and Converse
from American soil
Says They Were Kidnapped.
At the conclusion of :be Investigation,
T. D. Edwards, United States consul at
Juarez, sent the following telegram to
the Secretary of State:
After a thorough investigation, found
that Lawrence Converse and Edwin
Blatt were kidnapped by Mexican au-
tborities on American soil, at least 500
feet from the boundary line. Have inter-
yened with the Juarez authorities in
vain"
The Mexican government, on the other
hand, has insisted from the beginning
that the two prisoners were taken on
Mexican territory, and that they were
al LtO dllu were IN the IN
surrection against the government. It
vas only last Wednesday that Senior
F. L. de la Barra, the Mexican Ambas-
sadOr to the United States. issued this
emphatic statement:
The Embassy afirms categorically that
Blatt and Converse were taken prisoners
in Mexican territory and not on Ameri-
can soil, as has been falsely represented
by the press"
rTTI-s
sador de la Barra after the United States
troops had been ordered to the Mexican
border.
The Imprisonment of Blatt and Con-
verse has, of course, had nothing to
do with the mobilization of the troops
on the Texas frontier. It is merely a
development which would have come
whether the troops were on the border
or not, but which is likely to be a little
more irritating because of the present
military demonstration.
More Troops Being Sent.
Maj. Gen. Wood, Chief of Staff, an
nounced yesterday that six troops Of
cavalry will be added to the force of
5000 soldiers now patrolling the Mexi-
can frontier. This announcement by Gen.
Wood follows a statement made by him
Monday that there would be no further
additions TO the force patrolling the Mex
ican boundary. 1t is taken as further
evidence of the uncertainty with which
high officials themselves are moving in
the present situation. Gen. Wood said
that the additional force, which will
amount to about 600 men, viii be sent
to the frontier at the request of Brig.
Gen. Joseph w. Duncan, commanding
officer of the Department of Texas. The
cavalry will probably be drawn from
the forces now encamped at San An
tonic. They will be distributed chiefly
along the Texas line, but some of them
will ascend the Rio Grande into New
The Navy Department continued yes
terday to carry out the orders decided
upon Monday, which will withdraw all
war vessels from Mexican waters. 1t
became evident yesterday that the real
purpose of sending these vessels to Mexi-
,an waters was to gather information in
'egard 10 political conditions in that coun-
Try, and to be on hand in the event of a
,risis. and to prevent filibustering. The
presence of the vessels at Mexican ports,
aiken in connection with the mobilization
If troops on the frontier, aroused in
ense feeling among Mexicans. and the
Navy Department Immediately recognized
he necessity of complying with the Mex
can rrofest