The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-16
FULLY AROUSED TAFT TAKESSTEP
 FOR PRECAUT|ON Orders Entire 9th Cavalry From Des MOines to the
 Mexican Border
GOVERNMENT OF
 MEXICO WARNED
Officials Are Loath to Discuss Acute Situation Which Would Follow a Repitition of Douglas
 Episode

Washington, April 15.-Brought by tho battle of Agua Prieta to full realiza ton of the danger to which American settlements along the southern frontier are exposed by the civil strife Of Mexico, President Taft has moved swiftly and vigorously along all the lines of precau- ton to prevent any repetition Of the Douglas, Ariz.. episode.
 With various rumors floating into Wash ington of the imminence of another con f1ict at Agua Prieta, the President late today ordered the entire regiment of the Sixth cavalry from Des Mones, la., to Arizona to reinforce the posts there. This will add 800 men to the guard III Arizona.
 This step supplements MT. Tafts warn ing to the Mexican and revolutionary authorities that American lives and ln- terests mus not be endangered by unre : strained border-line fighting. It com pletes. it is said, the administration S present programme of precaution.
 The fact is emphasized in official duar- ters that the American troops in the south have specific instructions not 10 cross into Mexico under any circum- stances The officers in command have been ordered to preserve strict neu- trality and to see that American citizens do not expose themselves to unwarranted danger. It is confidently expected In administration circles that the Mexican government and the commanders of the insurgent forces will heed warning from the President of the United States and as far as the exgencies of war will per init, choose their battlegrounds with pro found respect for the rights of neutral power.
 No reply has been received by the state department 10 the representations made to the Mexican government In thus connection but already assurance has been received from the rebel commander at Agua Prieta that the Douglas lnct- dent will not be repeated.
 Situation Is Acute
 Officials are loath to discuss the acute situation that would arise in case an American town is again threatened. It IS made plain it would create diplomats incident that would be immediately re- ferred to and dealt with by the .Presi- dent direct.
 As far as the customs situation at Agua Prieta is concerned involving the ques- ton of recognizing the control of the rev olutionists there, official Washington IS awaiting developments. The treasury de- partment today wired the collector or the port of Douglas for a detailed report or the conditions at that point, and at the sister Mexican city of Agua Prieta. The international aspect of the case Is recelV- ing the close attention of the state de- partment The administration, it is said, however. will await complete official re- ports before determining line of policy. Nothing has been decided on this impor- tant phase of the question, and It IS nointed out that all discussion of it at the present stage is purely an academic one of international law.
 The additional troops ordered to Ari- zona will be distributed to Fort Hua- chuca, Nogales and Douglas, one squad ron going to each of the points. Nogales, like Douglas. is practically on the border line while Fort Huachuca lies about mid way between the two points but 40 miles distant from the boundary. In addi- ton to the troops ordered directly to Douglas, Captain Gaujot, commanding the patrolling force there, has been given free hand to call upon nearby posts for assistance if necessary.