The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-12-07

that when fighting occurs on the east
and southeast OF the intrenchments
people living In Douglas are put in
danger OF their lives. In my judgm mt
radical measures are needed 20 pro-
tect our innocent people. and il any
thing can be done to stop the fighting
at Aqua Prieta the situation calls for
such action. 1T is impossible to safe
guard the people of Douglas unless the
town be vacated. Can anything be
done to relieve situation, now acufeT'
After a conference with the secre-
tary of state. the following telegram
was sent to Governor Sloan, on April
1s. 1911. and made public:
Your dispatch received. Have made
urgent demand upon Mexican govern
ment to issue instructions to prevent
firing across border by Mexican federal
troops, and am awaiting reply. Mean
time have sent direct warning to the
Mexican and insurgent forces near
Douglas. infer from your dispatch
that both parties attempt to held the
exigency Of the contest wild bullets
still find their way into Douglas. The
situation might justify me In order
Ing our troops to cross the border and
attempt 10 stop the lighting. or to Ere
upon both combatants from the Amer
lean side. But IL I take this step, /
must face the possibility of resistance
and greater hloodshed. and also the
danger OF having our motives miscon-
strued and misrepresented. and of thus
inhaming Mexican popular indlgna-
ton against many thousand Americans
now in Mexico and jeopardizing their
lives and property The pressure for
general Intervention under such condi-
tons it might not be practicable TO
resist. 1t is impossible to foresee or
reckon the consequences OF such a
course, and we must use the greatest
self-restraint to avoid 1t. Pending lay
urgent representations to the Mexican
government, can not therefNre order
the troops at Douglas to cross the
border, but I must ask you and Che To-
cal authorities, In case the same dan
ger recurss to direct the people Of
Douglas to place themselves where
bullets can not reach them and thus
avoid casualty. I am loath TO endan-
ger Americans in Mexico. where they
are necessarily exposed, by taking a
radical step to prevent injury to Amer
leans on our side Of the border who
can avoid it by temporary incon-
venience."
am glad to say that no further in
vasion of American rights of any sub
stantial character occurred.
The presence of large military and
naval force available for prompt ac-
ton, near the Mexican border, proved
to be most fortunate under the some
what trying conditions presented by
this invasion Of American rights. Had
no movement Heretofore taken place,
and because Of these events 1t had
been necessary to bring about the
mobilization, it must have had sinis-
ter significance. On the other hand,
the presence Of the troops before and
at the time Of the unfortunate killing
and wounding OF American citizens at
Douglas, made clear that the restraint
exercised by our government In regard
to this occurrence was not due to
lack Of force or power to deal with it
promptly and aggressively, but was
due to real desire to use every
means possible to avoid direct inter
vention in the affairs of our neighbor,
whose friendship we valued and were
most anxious to retain.
The policy and action Of this gov
eminent were based upon an earnest
friendliness for the Mexican people as
whole. and it is a matter Of gratifi-
cation to note that this attitude of
strict impartiality as to all factions in
Mexico and of sincere friendship for
the neighboring nation, without regard
for party allegiance, has been gener-
ally recognized and has resulted in an
even closer and more sympathetic I'M
derstanding between the two repub-
lies and warmer regard one for the
and restore tranquility throughout the
Mexican republic was of peculiar in
terest to this government, in that ii
concerned the safeguarding of Amer
lean life and property in that country.
The government of the United tates