Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-14

The Mexican government. according to
the view at the State Department. will
be held accountable for the loss OF life
and injury to Americans OF Douglas,
Ariz., during the lighting between fed
erals and insurrectos at Aqua Prieta yes
terday. No matter whether the fire OF
the federals or that OF the insurrectos
inflicted the injury, it WILL be the federal
government to which the United States
will look for reparation.
As soon as the ofictaI reports upon
the fighting and the casualties sustained
by Americans shall have been received.
representations will be made to the Mex1-
can government. 1t IL said. and In due
course the claims Of those injured Wall
be presented.
Negligence Of Americans.
1t is undoubtedly true. however. that
in some cases Mexico Will have q ooun-
ter claim of contributory negligence on
the part OF injured Americans. That thore
will be some Justice in such q contention
IL argued from the fact that Americans
took their stand in sucE close proximity
to the fighting as to place their lives In
jeopardy. On the other hand. many OF
the wounded sustained their hurts while
in pursuit of their usual business in the
streets or buildings of Douglas.
AS . renewal OF fighting at Aqua Prieta
is looked for. it is expected that formal
notice will be served upon both federals
and ineurrectos that American lives and
American property on this side of the
border must not be endangered. 1t will
not be the first time during this insur-
rection that such notice has been served
Military commanders near points where
battles have been fought have advised
the Mexicans to regard the safety Of
Americans.
Shrewd Move by Rebels.
The shrewdness OF the insurrectos In
making their attack from the north of
Aqua Prieta, SO as to force its defenders
to fire toward Douglas, has aroused COM
ment here. They are believed to have rec
ognized the possibility that such a move
ment might result in complications and
the ENHANCEMENT Of the Mexican govern
ment with that Of the United States.
Further serious trouble at Aqua Prieta.
endangering the lives Of Americans in the
mining camps in that vicinity, is threat
",
received by the War Department today.
This dispatch, which came from citizen
Of Douglas. Ariz.. whose name is with
held by the department. has been laid
before the President. No official reports
had reached the War Department early
today.
According to the unofficial telegram.
25O revolutionists were pitted against
Aqua Prieta Twelve rebels were killed
and sixten wounded. The federals loss
was seven killed and seven wounded.
Calls for Detailed Report.
Gen. Wood. chief Of staff Of the army.
has called upon the commander OF the
Department Of Colorado. who IL now at
Fort Huachuda, AriK. for a detailed re-
port on the situation at Aqua Prieta
and Douglas. Gen. Wood today stated
that the American soldiers patrolling
the Mexican border have specific in
Structions not to cross into Mexican
territory. The action of the American
officers. however. in taking messages
from Mexican federals on the Amer
lean side to their comrades across the
line asking that they surrender would
not be regarded as q violation Of these
instructions.
Embassy Is Not Advised.
At the Mexican embassy today 1t wes
said that no word had been received
from Mexico City in regard to the re-
ported battle at Auga Prieta, and the
action said to have been taken by United
States troops on Mexican soil OfflciaIs
at the embassy added that they fully ex-
pected to receive word from the foreign
Office in regard to the matter II the re-
port proved to be true.
notwithstanding the reports Of insur-
recto successes, the officials at the en-
bassy spoke very hopefully of the situa-
ton In Mexico. and declared that reports
Of troubles in their country had been
much exaggerated.
1t is expected that the credentials Of
de Zamacona e Incian will
arrive In this city tomorrow. but il is not
likely that he will be presented formally
to President Taft until next week prob.