The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1911-04-21
ARIZONA ASKED PROTECTION.
President Explains Why He Hesitates
to Send Troops over Line.

President Explains Why He Hesitates
to Send Troops over Line.
Washington, April lS.-President
Taft replied to a message from Cover
nor Sloan of Arizona asking protec-
ton for citizens of Douglas from the
fire of federals and insurrectos, that
he was loath to endanger A nerlcans
in Mexico by taking so radical step
as sending American troops across the
border to prevent further fighting
The message to the president was
dated Douglas, 1921 o'clock last night.
1t reads:
The president, Washington, ID. c.:
AS a result of today's fighting across
the international line but within gun
shot range of the heart of Douglas,
five Americans wounded on this side
of the line. Everything points to repe-
tition of these casualties on tomorrow
and while the federals seem disposed
to keep their agreement not to fire
into Douglas, the position of the in
surrectionists is such that when fight
of the entertainments people living in
Douglas are in danger of their lives.
'In my judgment radical measures
are needed to protect our innocent
people and if anything can be done to
stop the fighting at Aqua Prieta the
situation calls for such action.
ut is impossible to safeguard the
people of Douglas unless the town is
vacated. Can anything be done to
relieve the situation, which is now
acute?
(Signed) Richard E. Sloan,
Governor
The Presidents Reply.
The reply of the president, promptly
transmitted:
Governor Sloan, Douglas, Ariz.:
Your dispatch received. Have made
urgent demands upon Mexican gov
eminent to issue instructions to pre-.
vent firing across border by Mexican
| federal troops and am waiting reply
Meantime | have sent direct warning
to the Mexican and insurgent forces
near Douglas.
Il infer from your dispatch that both
parties attempt to heed the warning
but that in the strained situation and
eXigencies of the contest wild bullets
still find their way into Douglas. The
situation might justify me in ordering
our troops to cross the border and
stop the fighting or to fire upon both
combatants from the American side
But if take this step | must face the
possibility of resistance and greater
i bloodshed and also the danger of hav
ing our motive misconstrued and mis-
represented and of thus inflaming Mex
lean popular indignation against many
thousands of Americans now in Mex
leo and jeopardizing their lives and
property.
The pressure for general interven
ton under such conditions, it might
not be practicable to resist. 1t is i'm
possible to foresee or reckon the con
sequence of such a course and we mus
use the geratest self restraint to avoi(
it.
Douglas People Should Get Away.
Pending my urgent representation:
to the Mexican government, l canno
therefore order, the troops at Doug
las to cross the border but / mus
ask you and the local authorities, il
case the same danger seems to threat
en-, to direct the people of Douglas t.
place themselves where bullets can
not reach them and thus avoid casual
ties.
u am loathe to endanger American
in Mexico where they are necessaril!
exposed, by taking radical step t
prevent injury to Americans on GU
side of the border who can avoid i
by temporary inconvenience.
(Signed) william III. Taft"
The president found the Mexican sit
uation demanding his attention unit
late hour. The evening he had spen
at the theater. Returning to the whit
house he plunged anew into conside
ration of the problems .confrontin
him