The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-04-19
NO BLOOD ON AMERICAN SIDE.
TAFT WILL MAKE MEXICANS
SKINNY ON THEIR OWN
SIDE.
Determined There shall be No Re-
petition OF Douglas Troubles
Nothing Serious Expected.

Washington. April 14.-President
Taft Ia determined that battles be-
tween Mexican federals and insur-
rectos shall not be fought on Ameri-
can soil. He is equally determined
that the lives of American non-com-
oatants shall not be endangered by
the forces of President Diaz and
those OF Gen. Madero. Future com
bats between the rebels and the for
ces OF the Mexican government must
not be fought so close to the Amerl-
can line as to put In jeopardy the
lives and property Of Americans.
Through the State department tho
president tonight informed the Mex
lean government that II must see to
II In the future that no such unfor-
tunate incident as that of yesterday
at Augua Prieta, near Douglas. Ariz..
when two Americans were killed and
IA wounded. be allowed to occur.
Through the war department and
through the department OF justice
the president sent the same sort OF
warning To- the leader of the insur-
recto forces at Aqua Prieta. The
view was expressed at the White
House tonight that these warnings
will be obeyed to the letter and that
no more battles will be fought In
the vicinity OF the boundary.
Neither the president nor any Of
his advisers whom he called into
conference tonight was inclined to
regard the incident at Aqua Prieta as
a forerunner OF anything more sori-
Gus. but they did conclude that 1t
must not be repeated.
President Taft feels now that his
order sending the troops to Texas has
been entirely justified by the develop
ments of the last few days.
He Is more certain than ever that
conditions In Mexico are alarming.
He is hoping that there will lie no
need for any further movement to
the south, but IL there should be.
he knows that 10000 American
troops are near the Rio Crande and
that along that river and the Mexican
border itself Is already a force that
Is not insignificant.
The presidents action tonight fol-
lowed n conference with the attor-
ney general. the secretary of war and
the acting secretary OF State. Hun
tington Wilson. Following the con-
ference the White House gave out q
copy OF a telegram sent by the presl-
dent through Secretary Hires to T..
II. Grindall OF the Douglas chamber
OF commerce and mines. Mr. Grin
dali had reported to the president by
wire the casualties at Auga Prieta,
end asked. Us there no way by
which Americans can be protected in
the peaceful pursuit OF their affairs"
In reply Mr.. IIillies wired as fol-
lows:
Your telegram to the president re-
ceived. He is much distressed at
the situation as you have described
IT, He has directed the Secretary of
State and secretary OF war to take
steps by which such n deplorable oc-
currence as that OF yesterday at
Douglas may he avoided In the fu-
ture. In the meantime the president
sincerely hopes that the chamber of
commerce and the local authorities
OF Douglas may use all influence pos
sible upon your citizens to keep as
far away as possible from the scene
OF lighting. and to avoid taking sides
In order not TO aggravate situation
already acute"
The presidents instructions were
transmitted by the war department
late today to the commanding officer
OF tho department OF the Colorado.
who is making his headquarters at
Fort Hauchca. Ariz. Tomorrow
these instructions will be repeated to
Gen. Duncan. commanding the de-
partment OF Texas. and Gen. Bliss.
commanding the department of Cali
fornia.