The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-15
MEX|CANS MAY
 PROTEST INVASION Await Official Report of
 Agua Prieta IS NOT SIGNIFICANT
Federals Believe Lopez Made Mistake in Attacking Agua Prieta as It Will Be Impossible
 To Hold It

MeX1co Clty- ApTll 14.-NeltHei ths war department nor the department of foreign relations received any but the most meager reports regarding the battle of Agua Prieta today. The re- ports to the foreign office were sent by the Mexican consul at Douglas, but were so unsatisfying in their character and, so brief that Minister De La Barra also instructed the consul at Naco to go to Douglas to assist the consular representative there in his investiga- tion.
 The account of the battle received al the war department was nothing more than a brief summary of the events It contained little more than the in- formation that the town had been at- tackled by a superior number of rebels and that the federals. after making all resistance possible, had surrendered.
 No representation has yet been made by the state department at Washing ton to the foreign office concerning the firing across the internationa boundary and the resultant loss of life That such representation may be made is not considered improbable. but il is as likely that the Mexican gov ernment will protest regarding the part played in the battle by Captain Gau. jot, who crossed the boundary, thus technically invading Mexico.
 Minister De La Barra today conferred with both President Diaz and War Min. ister Cosio regarding the battle on the border and tonight in official circles TO great importance is attached to ths incident, so far as it relates to ths progress of the war.
 It has great interest. however, ir view of the international complica tions which may grow out of it.
 Military men regard the taking o Agua Prieta as a mistake the rebels have made. By them it is pointed ou that Red Lopez and his men have placed the insurrectos in a predica ment.
 To hold the town 1t will be neces- sary for him to receive the support ot the major portion of Madero's army and It is not believed that the chiei of the revolutionists will deem it ad- visable to tie up any considerable nun Der of men. On the other hand, it is pointed out that the government will not passively permit the occupation oi the town by rebels. Already rein forcements are approaching Agua Prieta and unless Lopez is able to ge, endorsements, he must either aban- don the place or resist attacks which the war department believes will be overwhelming.
 Government officials profess to see ir this action of Lopez an instance of the lack of military training of the com mander-i in -chief of the rebels or the lack of concerted action among the minor rebel leaders. They are inclined to believe that Lopez acted on his own initiative.
 In other quarters, however, the talk ing of Agua Prieta has aroused the be- lief that it will have the effect of stimulating the energies of the rebels and that it will gain for Madero hun dreds and perhaps thousands of re- cruits even should he be forced to abandon the place.
 While international complications growing out of yesterdays battle are considered possible, Minister Barra to- day stated that the controversy be- tween the United States and Mexico over the Blatt-converse incident is in a fair way to be amicably adjusted. To- day he sent to the American ambassa- dor for transmission to the state de- partment at Washington a note in which he made representations which he believed would be accepted by the American government.