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

given assurances to the Mexican am.
bassador on this point.
Il sincerely hope that this exper-
fence will always be remembered by
the army and navy as useful means
OF education. and should be greatly
disappointed il 1t resulted in any In
jury or disaster to our forces from any
cause. 1 have taken good deal Of re-
sponsibility in ordering this mobili-
cation, but I am ready to answer for
1t If only you and those under you use
the utmost care to avoid the difficul-
ties which have pointed out.
You may have a copy of this letter
made and left with General Carter and
such other generals in command as
you may think wise and necessary to
guide them in their course. but to be
regarded as confidential"
l am more than HAPPY to here re-
cord the fact that all apprehensions
as to the effect Of the presence Of so
large military force in Texas proved
groundless; no disturbances occurred;
the conduct of the troops was exem-
plary and the public reception and
treatment Of them was all that could
have been desired, and this notwith-
standing the presence of a large mum
Der of Mexican refugees in the border
territory.
Wilson Reported.
From time TO time communications
were received from Ambassador will
son, who had returned to Mexico, con-
firming the view that the massing of
American troops in the neighborhood
had had good effect. BY dispatch Of
April 3. 1911. the ambassador said:
''The continuing gravity of the stu
alton here and the chaos that would
ensue should the constitutional au-
thorities be eventually overthrow,
thus greatly increasing the danger to
which American lives and property
are already subject. confirm the wis
dom Of the president in taking those
military precautions which, making
every allowance for the dignity and
the sovereignty Of a friendly state are
due to our nationals abroad.
Charged as am with the respon-
sibility Of safeguarding these lives and
property, am bound to say to the de-
partment that our military dispose
tons on the frontier have produced an
effective impression on the Mexican
mind and may. at any moment, prove
to be the only guarantees for the safe
ty Of our nationals and their property.
If 1t should eventuate that conditions
here require more active measures bv
the president and congress, sporadic
attacks might be made upon the lives
and property of our nationals, bur the
ultimate result would be order and adj
equate protection"
The instruction continued and re-
suited in engagements between the reg
ular Mexican troops and the insur-
gents. and this along the border. so
that in several instances bullets from
the contending forces struck American
citizens engaged in their lawful occu-
pations on American soil.
The Douglas Trouble.
Proper protests were made against
these invasions OF American rights to
the Mexican authorities. On April IL.
1911, I received the following telegrarn
from the governor of Arizona:
AS a result of today's fighting
across the international line. but with
in gunshot range of the heart OF
Douglas, five Americans wounded on
this side OF the line. Everything
points to repetition Of these casual
ties on tomorrow. and while the feder-
ais seem disposed TO keep their agree
ment not to fire into Douglas, the po-
sition Of the insurrectionists is such
3