Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-04-18
HeSitates to Order Troops
Across Border for Fear Mo-
tiveS Might Me MiSconstrued
and American Lives Lost
GOVERNOR OF ARIZONA
GETS SCANT SATISFACTION
President Believes Congress
Should Now Say Whether
Situation Is Grave Enough to
Warrant Intervention

tby Morning Sourfia Speciat Leased W ire
WASHINGTON, April 17.-President
Taft tonight replied to a message
from Governor Sloan of Arizona ask
ing protection for citizens of Douglas
from the fire of federals and in
surrectos that he was loathe to en-
danger Americans in Mexico by TAX
ing so radical a step as sending AM
erican troops across the border to
prevent further fighting.
The president in his telegram to
the governor said the situation might
justify him in ordering troops to cross
the border and attempt tc stop the
fighting or TO fire upon both contest
ants from the American side.
He hesitated to take such step,
however because of the possibility
Of resistance and greater bloodshed,
and the danger of having his motives
mlsconstrued and arousing the Mex
leans against the Americans now in
Mexico.
In view of the conditions there the
president felt he could not order che
t.oops al Douglas to cross the bor-
Visibility Of the people of Douglas
avoldirs exposing themselves by fly
ing bullets.
TIE message 20 the president was
dated Douglas, 1921 o'clock tonight.
1t read:
THE President, Washington, D. C.
"As a result of today's fighting
across the international line, but with
in gunshot range of the heart of
wounded on this side of the line. Ev-
erything points to repetition of the
casualties on tmorrow, and while
the fedcrals seem disposed to keep
their agreement not to fire into
Douglas. the position of the insurrec-
tos is such that when fighting oc-
ours on the east and southeast of the
entertainments people living in Doug
las are put in danger of their lives.
In my Judgment radical measures
are needed to protect our innocent
people, and If anything can be done
to stop the fighting at Aqua Preta
the situation calls for such action.
1t Is impossible to safeguard tl6 peo
pie of Douglas unless the town can
be vacated. Can anything be done
to relieve the situation, which is now
aoute2"
The reply of the president, prompt
ly transmitted, read:
"To Governor Sloan, Douglas, Aiiz.:
Your dispatch received. Have
made urgent demands upon Mexican
government to issue Instructions to
prevent firing across border by Mex
lean federal troops and am awaiting
reply. Meantime | have sent direct
warning to the Mexicans and insurg-
ont forces near Douglas.
u infer from your dispatch that
both narties attempted to heed the
Warming, but that in the strained sit
ua,iun and exigeneies oi the contest
wild bullets still find their way into
Douglas. The situation might Justify
me in ordering our troops to cross
the border and attempt to stop the
lighting, or to fire upon both COM
batants from the American side.
But II | take this step | must
lace the possibility of resistance and
greater hioodshed. and also the dan
ger OF having our motives miscon-
strued and misrepresented, ard of
mus infaming Mexican popular in
dlsnation against many thousands of
Americans now in Mexico and ieop-
ardizns their lives and property.
The pressure for general interven-
uon under such conditions II might
not be possible to resist. 1t is inn
possible TO foresee or reckon the con
sequences of such a course and we
must use the grautest seif-restraint to
avoid IT,
Pending an urgent representation
10 the Mexican government. | cannot
therefore, order the troops at Doug
las to cross the border. but | must
ask YOU and the local authorities, in
case the same danger seems to
threaten, to diract the people of
douglas to place. themselves where
bullets cannot reach them. and thus
AVOID casualties. | am loathe to en-
uanger Americans in Mexico. where
they are necessaJily exposed by TAX
ing radical step to prevent injury
10 Americans on bur side of the bor
uer who can av4id it by temporary
inconvenience.
'signed) WILLIAM II. TAFT
Inc president found the Mexican
stuation demanding his attention un-
vi latf hour. The evening he had
,hVn, AZ the thfater. Returning to
o"s white HoJse, he plunged into
eo"s,u'ralion df the problem con-
fronting him.