Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-09

clared by officials here, will be
strictly observed.
today President Taft and his cabinet dis
cuSsed the Mexican situation and con-
sidered confidential kilograms that were
received at the War Department and State
Department last night and this morning
Reassurances from Gen. Madero and
officers of the Mexican federal troops that
measures will be taken to avoid repe-
tition of the shooting across the border
which killed several Americans in Ell
Paso yesterday somewhat relieved the
anxiety of Mr.. Taft and his advisers.
Because of the reports that were re-
ceived today, however. telling Of the hos
tilities In and about Juarez. which en-
danger American lives and property in Ell
Paso, the President and his official family
are still alarmed.
Attitude Not Changed.
Following the session no statement was
given out, but it is known that the Presi-
dent will maintain the policy of sitting
tight for the present. at least. Radical
action by this government is not yet con-
templated, and according to reports Mr.
Taft will continue to urge that peace be
declared in the neighbOring republic.
Col. Steever at Ell Paso transmitted the
following telegram to the War epart-
ment last night, and 1t was shown to the
President this morning:
In reply to my formal protest to Senior
Madero against his men firing into United
States territory, he writes that he great
ly regrets the occurrence and has taken
all the necessary measures to avoid a
repetition of the disagreeable accident.
According to best obtainabie information
the attack on Juarez will be renewed.
Two more Americans killed about Z
this evening were on railroad track
near river in section from which
people had been warned to keep away.
The local press has been asked to urge
Ell Pasoans to keep out of zone of fire.
A former notice to same effect was pub
lished by me when insurrectos first ap-
appeared, March 70.
All Missionaries Safe.
The President this morning received a
telegram from Rev. Homer c. -Iuntz of
Newark. n. j., saying that Dr. Butler.
in charge of the Methodist missions in
Mexico, reports that all missionaries in
that country are safe and WELL"
The message concludes as follows:
Your course in this matter is gratifying
to all right-thinking people,
The army officers commanding troops
on the Mexican border at Ell Paso have
received repeated and explicit instruc-
tions not to cross the international
boundary under any circumstances.
These orders, it is declared by officials
here, will be religiously observed
The American military commanders on
the border are becoming restless and ap-
prehensive. as the real gravity of the sit
uation at Juarez develops, and are evi-
IDENTIFY desirous of doing something to
prevent the killing of Americans ON the
American side of the line as the result
of the rebel attack on the Mexican town.
But all Of their applications for in
structions to qualify those they have
already received bring renewed orders
to abide strictly by the policy laid down by
the War Department from the beginning !;
to preserve the strictest kind of neu-
trality; to keep the American soldiers
out of Mexico. and to endeavor to move
the Inhabitants of Ell Paso back from the
river bank to places of safety from the
fire of the combatants across the river.
Officers Use Discretion.
In matters of detail much is still left
to the discretion of the American COM
manders. Hence. there is no disposition
to prevent Col. Steever from using every
proper effort to dissuade the federals and
rebels from directing their fire so as to
endanger Americans north of the Rio
Grande.
1t developed today that the refusal Of
Col. Steever to permit men wounded in
fighting on the Mexican side to be
brought to Ell Paso for treatment is a
result Of the objection of the Mexican
government. During the fighting at Aqua
Prieta, the wounded were admitted to
Douglass, on the American side, and the
use of the hospitals in that town was
freely offered to each side.
1t was on that occasion that the Mex
ican government signified it's objection.
So Col. Steever was obliged to order his
patrol to prevent the wounded on either
side from being brought to Ell Paso.
In the event that either side sustains a
defeat so severe as to impal 1t to en-
refuge, 1t is probable that Col. Steever
must exercise his own discretion as to
whether they shalt be permitted to cross
the river. II he should decide in the
armed and held temporarily as prisoners.
Col Steever's dispatches to the War
Department over night were practically in
full confirmation Of the news reports.
Fighting ohicially Reported.
Telesraphfc reports of yesterdays fight
ing at Juarez have been received by the
war Department from both Gen. Duncan,
commander Of the Department Of Texas,
and Col. Steever. Shots from the fight
ing forces fell into Ell Paso as far as the
most once building, and the official dis
patches confirmed the press reports that
several were killed on the American side
of the Rio Grande.
Col. Steever oficially reported to the
department that he had formally pro-
tested to the commanding generals OF the
warning factions against the menace TO
Americans. Efforts by Gen. Madero to
control the detachment of fighting insur-