The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-14
As Washington Hears IL.

"ASftNGtoN. April 1f.--MeXi
can insurrectos to-day hold posses
sion OF Aqua Prieta on the United
States border opposite Douglas, Ariz.
American lives and property are In
danger and further fighting ia expect
ed at any moment, according to a tel.
egram received at the War Depart
ment to-day from Douglas. Major
General Wood wired the commander
of the American troops at that point
for a complete report on the fight OF
yesterday
According TO the telegram received
today. two American noncombatants
were killed while on United States
soil. Both were railroad men en-
gagged in their duty.
The Mexican federal soldiers who
fled across the frontier when the bat
Tie began to go against them were dis
armed by the United States troops
and are to-day held prisoners in Doug
las.
The report said a force OF $50 in
surrectos boarded a special passenger
train at F'ronterHs. south Of Aqua
EHsNte u: Or. arriving at .AEsss sPz1e,a
they began shooting in all directions.
Their fire was returned by force or
SIXTY soldiers composed of federal
troops and national guardsmen. The
lighting lasted two hours. Twelve
rebels were killed and sixteen wound
ed. The loss on the Mexican federal
side was about the same.
The dispatch received at the War
Derartme4t makes NO. mention OF any
american soldiers crossing the line
into Mexico. General Wood directed,
i'm his telegram to-day. that the CONF
manding officer inform him sy,cCif-
caliy upon that point.
,v.It
il IL found tina, any American soldiers
invaded Mexican territory.
Discrealit Report.
Army officers at the War Depart
ment discredited the report that Am
erican soldiers had crossed the Mexl-
can frontier. Most specific instruc-
tions have been given all officers COM
manding United States troops along
the border to the effect that they
must not under any circumstances
cross into Mexico without orders from
Washington. These orders have been
repeated from time to time to I'm
the soldiers with the seriousness of
the situation and the consequences
which would reuit from any invasion
of Mexican territory.
Story Of the Battle.
Aqua PRIETA, MEXICO. April IA
tvia Douglas) During a battle,
which lasted all yesterday afternoon
and resulted in the capture OF this
city by the rebels. commanded by
Red" Lopez, American troops cross
ed the border and stopped tho fight
ing.
Tho action was taken after two men
had been killed and several wounded
H.
WAS endangering the lives Of Ameri-
cans on United States territory. Doug
las was under constant fire for three
hours.
This IL the frat time during the
insurrectton that any person has been
killed on the American side a. the re-
suit Of the border fighting. The dead
and wounded Of both the rebels and
federals are being taken to Douglas
Fleeing F'ederals Shot.
Federal soldiers to the numb OF
thirty ged to the American side an
hour before the battle ended and
were disarmed by the American
troops. This rebels ahot down many
federais az they ran.
Wounded federal prisoners were es-
corted from Aqua Prieta to the bor-
der. where they were released as fugi-
tiveS on American soil.
I-opex's band numbered not more
than $50. while the federal defenders
numbered IS.
It was stated tonight that the
rebels win try to hold Aqua Prieta
In tho hope of winning recognition
a. belligerents by the United States.
Aqua Prieta IL a port OF entry.
Rush 10 Line to See Fight.
Americans rushed to the }interna-