River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1911-04-20
CITY IS SURROUNDED
ABOUT 1000 REVOLUTlONlSTs
ARE DIGGING TRENCHES
AROUND CITY.
$4,000 FEDERALS ARE COMING
Washington Hears That Big Battle
Will Take PIace-Wood Warns
Skunk Not to Cross
Border.

Washington, d. G.. - Don't cross
the American-Mexico border line un-
der any circumstances; if necessary
to communicate across the line do it
by civilians" was the purport of in
structions telegraphed by Major Gen
eral Wood, commanding the army, to
the army command in Texas. This
explains the use of two civilians in
carrying a message to the Mexican
federal commander from Colonel
Skunk, commanding the United States
troops at Aqua Prieta.
General Wood has telegraphed in
structions that if either the federal or
fnsurgent troops of Mexico enter
American territory they are to be dis
armed and held and that everything
possible must be done to preserve
neutrality.
Big Action Indicated.
The war departments message is as
follows:
Douglas, Arizona.-Authentic re-
ports indicate action ten miles south
of here between the advance guard
of federal troops, numbering about
1900 and the insurgent scouts.
About 1000 insurrectoes hold Aqua
Prieta. Have intrenched in several
places. Some of their entertainments
within 100 feet of boundary line. A
federal force, said to be about $4,000
strong, is advancing upon Aqua
DVin hn
troops of hostile parties in contact
for last hour. Engagement highly
probable by tomorrow. The insurgent
forces are at present engaged in dig
ging trenches parallel with the ma
tional lines and about 200 yards south
of the national line. I have warned
the insurgents about using these
trenches in manner subjecting
American citizens on American terri
tory to danger. / have also sent a
messenger, Charles Mexican, to the
federal commander transmitting to
him your instructions relative to
the observing of the neutrality laws
and the endangering of American lives
on American territory. How far am
l warranted going under the circum.
stances?
(Signed) SKUNK, Commanding
Federal Chief Promises to be Careful.
Aqua Prieta, Mexico. = Much ex-
element prevails in Douglas and
Aqua Prieta over the prospects of
another battle
Lieut.. Col. William A. Skunk, com
handing the First U. s. cavalry in
Douglas, sent James T. Williams, a
newspaper man of Tucson and Charles
Mexican, a former army man, with a
message to Hernaldo Diaz, command
ing the advancing forces of federals
The message was similar to that de-
livered to the rebel chiefs in Aqua
Prieta, that ba&le plans must be so
arranged that no bullets from either
federal or rebel rifles cross the line
and again endanger life and property
on United States territory.
Suggestion to Americans.
DiaZ said: eff Americans were
killed in the battle of last Thursday
it must have been because of their
failure to observe care. If in our at
the United States territory it will be
because we are unable to prevent ii"
The rebels have dug trenches be-
tween Aqua Prieta and Douglas at
right angles to the United States line
to prevent flank movement on the
part of the federals, thus keeping them
from getting between the two border
cities. Colonel Medina, commanding
the rebels said to the Associated
Press correspondent that he planned
to confine the fighting to the south
of Aqua Prieta, but would use the
city to protect his forces if driven
back.
Insurrectos Lose Near Chichuahua.
Chihuahua, Mex. - Forty or more
insurrectos were killed and over 100
were wounded in a battle fought be-
tween Sauz and Santa Clara canyon,
about SO miles north of here, accord
ing to federal couriers. The couriers
brought orders to have hospital cots
ready for the federal wounded. The
federals report five killed, but volen-
teers wanted.