The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1911-04-17
TAFT WATCHES Aqua PRTETA
BORDER NEWS ALL TAKEN TO
THE WHITE HOUSE.
Battle Expected To-day-u. .. Colonel
Fears Insurgent Trenches May Draw
Fire on Douglas Warns the Leaders

No soldiers May Cross Into Mexico.
WARRINGTON. April 10 News OF tho
impending battle between the Mexican
Federal troops and the ins,irrectos AZ
Aqua Prieta was awaited in Washington
tonight with intense interest. Many
bulletins were received by tho War De-
partmcnt telling Of skrmishes between
the outposts Of the combatants and pre-
dieting an engagement early tomorrow
morning
The seriousness with which the situation
on the border ia regarded Is indicated
by the fact that President Taft himself
ordered all Wa Department bulletins
sent to the White House. He continued
to receive tho dispatches until II o'clock
tonight.
II is believed here that insurreotos
by throwing up Notifications parallel
TO the boundary line are seeking to en-
tangle the Federal troops in complica-
tions with the United States.
After 9 o'clock in the afternoon the
War Department received two messages
from Col. Skunk. who 10 now In command
at Douglas One of them read:
Authentic reports indicate action ten
miles south OF here between the advance
guard of Federal troops. numbering about
Zoo. and the insurgent scouts In all
probability considerable engagement will
occur not later than Tomorrow The in
surgent forces are holding Aqua Prieta
and are az present engaged in digging
and about 200 yards south Of the national
line.
Il have warned the insurgents about
using these trenches In manner sub
jecting American citizens on American
territory to danger. have also cent
messenger. Charles Mexican. to the Fed
eral commander. transmitting to him your
instructions relative to the observing Of
the neutrality lava and the endangerins
Of American lives on American territory
How far am warranted in going under
the circumstances? SKUNK"
To this the War Department promptly
replied:
Replying TO your request for instruc.
tions a. to what to do in case fighting
occurred which involved danger to citi-
zens OF Douglas or vicinity you are in
structed a. follows:
under no circumstances allow any
OF your men to cross tho international
boundary. Prevent as far az possible
any violation OF the international lava
through crossing Of armed troops or indi.
viduals from that territory to that of
Mexico. In case either Federals or in
surgents enter American territory dis
arm them and hold them pending further
orders.
Advise the citizens Of Douglas to
avoid exposure to fire from Mexican
territory and repeat through civil messen-
ger your previous protest against firing
into American territory by either Federals
or insurgents"
At e:35 o'clock this despatch was re
ceived from Col. Skunk;
Your message concerning danger r.
people Of Douglas delivered to Federal
commander. who promised to respec.
your wishes Will do all in his power ~
prevent danger to United States terri
tory. He reports that he will attack
very soon. SKUNK. Commanding"
Another message from the commanding
officer at Douglas reached Washington
at 1918 o'clock tonight. II read
About 1000 insurrectos hold Aqua
Prieta; have intrenched in several places
Some Of their intrenchments within 1oo
feet Of boundary line. A Federal force
said to be about I .4Oo strong is advancing
upon Aqua Prieta from tho South Ad-
vanced troops Of hostile parties in con-
tact for last hour. Engagement highly
probable by tomorrow
SKUNK, COMMANDING
The legal officers OF the Government
will takc up to- morrow the question which
has heon brought about by the capture by
Mexican insurgents Of the custom house
AZ Aqua Priete, which is just across the
border from Douglas. Ariz. The legal
advisers Of the State and Treasury de-
partments and the Department of Justice
will try to plan a course of action which
will cover the situation.
In the meantime the custom house at
Douglas will remain closed. There are
several smelters owned by Americans
about fifty miles south of Aqua Prieta
which receive their provisions and sup.
plies from the United States through
Douglas. II the custom house in Aqua
Prieta remains closed for a great length
II time these may be seriously emhar-
'assed.
Tho situation AT Douglas is further com.
,licated by the fact that many citizens
If that city have joined the insurgent
'anks. Practically all the citizens Of
Douglas are in sympathy with the insur-
ectos.
Information has been received here
rom Mexican sources that Lieut.. Prom
'oso Of the Federal army was wounded
IN April l3 during the battle at Aqua
'rieta by shot fired from the American
ustom house. II is also reported that
ev olutionists crossed the border into the
Tnitcd States with disabled gun and
hat policeman repaired il and it was
AIKEN back into Mexico to the scene OF
he battle
The American force at Douglas during
he recent fight consisted Of one troop o.
'avalry. about forty-fve men. in com.
nand Of Capt, Julian I. Gaujot Of ~,
'irst Cavalry, -his little band had all
I could do TO restrain a crowd of abou,
100 citizens ~ Douglas who were an xiou,
q cross over tho limo and aid tho insur.