Daily Kennebec journal., 1911-04-15
SHREWD MOVE OF REBELS.
Forced Federal Fire Toward Douglas
U. S. presentations.

Washington, April 4.-The Mexican
-Government, according to the view
at the state department, will he held
accountable for the loss Of life ana
injury TO Americans at Douglas, Ariz,
during the fighting between Federals
and IhsUrrectos at Aqua Prieta YES
terday. No matter whether the fire
of the Federals or that of the In
surrectos inflicted the injury, il will
be the Federal government to which
the United States will look for repara-
ton.
As soon as official reports upon the
lighting and the casualties sustained
by Americans shall have been re-
ceiHtd, representations will be made
to thc Mexican government, it is said
and in due course the claims of those
injured will be presented. 1t is un-
doabtedly true, however, that in some
eases, Mexico will have 1t counter
claim of contributory negligence on
the part of injured Americans That
there will be some justice in such Il
contention is argued from the fact
that Americans took their stand in
such proximity to the fighting as to
other hand. many OF the wounded sus-
tained their hurts While in pursuit
of their usual business in the streets
or buildings of Douglas.
AS Il renewal of lighting at Aqua
Prleta is looked for. it is expected
that formal notice will be served up
on both Federals and Insurrectos that
American lives and American prop
erty on this side of the border must
not be endangered. on previous oc-
casions military commanders near
points where battles have been found
have advised the MeXicans to regard
the safety of Americans.
Tie shreWdness of the Insurrectos
In making their attack from the north
OF Aqua Pricta, so as to force it's de-
Tenders to fire toward Douglas. has
aroused comment here. They are be
lieved to have recognized the possi-
bility that such a movement might re-
suit in complications and the entangle-
ment of the Mexican government with
that of the United States.
Secretary of State Knox was at the
White House at $50 o'clock this morn
ing consulting with the President
about the situation arising out of the
battle of Aqua Prieta. The confer
ence was protracted one.
Cen. Wood, chief of staff of the army
has called upon the commander of the
Department of Colorado, who is now
az Fort Huachuda, Ariz., for detail
ed report on the situation at Aqua
Prieta and Douglas. General Wood to-
day stated that the American soldiers
patrolling the Mexican border have
specific instructions not to cross into
Mexican territory.
The action of the American officers.
however, in taking messages from
Mexican Federals on the American
side to their comrades across the line.
asking that they surrender. would not
be regarded as violation of these in
structionS.
The situation at Aqua Prieta and
Douglas, which are practically one
town. las been serious for several
weeks. according to reports received
by the war department. The Federals
have been fortifyng Aqua Prieta and
some of the defences are not 10 feet
from the dividing line.
The situation has not been without
its ludicrous side. Frequently while the
Federal soldiers We're engaged in con-
structing trenches Just south of the
boundary, gang of rebel sympathiz-
ers on the American side would hoot
and jeer the defenders of Diaz Be
tween these opposing elements, the
American soldiers and police patrol
ed the border line, always with a
watchful eye as to the possibility of a
clash on American soil
Further serious trouble at Aqua
Prieta, Mexico, endangering the lives
of Americans in the mining camp in
that vicinity is threatened. according
to an unofficial telegram received by
the war department today. This dis
patch. which came from a citizen of
Douglas, Ariz., whose name is with
held by the department. has been laid
before the President. No official re
ports had reached the war department
carry TO-DAY. ~ ,e-. = .t..U ,ns1o,
According tosthe unofficial telegram