New-York tribune., 1912-02-14
WASHINGTON SOOTHES
MEXICAN ILL FEELING
Secretary of State Specifically
RepudiateS "FooIish Stories"
of Intervention.
VASQUISTAS GIVE BATTLE
Rebels Still Hold Country West
of Chihuahua and South of
Juarez, but Are
Inactive.
From The Tribune Bureau. ]

| Washington, Feb BIN order TO antici-
| pate any possible anti-American demon
strations in Mexico growing out OF sensa-
| tional reports that this government has al
| ready decided to send troops into Mexico TO
| restore peace and that troops are already
under way for that purpose. the Secretary
| OF State has sent a note TO the Mexican
| government repudiating these reports as
| foolish stories" and declaring that there
is no intention on the part OF the American
| government TO interfere with Mexico's in
| ternal affairs.
This communication was in the form Of a
| copy OF a note sent to every American con-
sular Office in Mexico, as we'll as to the
embassy in Mexico City, with instructions
| that II be made public.
! This is practically the same course as was
| pursued last March when infiammatory ar
| ticles were published in the local press
| throughout Mexico following the mobiliza-
ton OF the troops in Texas
This note. which was the last official act
OF Secretary Knox before he left Washing
ton for Palm Beach, declares that this gov
ernment has "the sincerest friendship for
Mexico and her people. to whom II hopes
will soon return the blessings of peace
which is not concerned with Mexico's in
ternal political affairs, and which demands
nothing but the respect and protection OF
, American life and property in the neigh
boring republic" This sentence Is rega I'd
ed as significant as pointing out plainly to
Mexico that the country will be held strict
ly TO account for any injuries TO American
life and property.
Ambassador Wilson reported to-day that
Mexico had temporarily withdrawn her re-
quest TO send troops into the United States
from Eagle Pass to FL Paso for the pur-
pose OF reinforcing the garrison there, ow-
ing TO the prohibition by national law OF
troops going out OF the country without an
act OF Congress.
Loose talk" by army officials and Of
ncers OF the army on the situation in
Mexico is a menace to the friendly rela-
tions existing between that government
and tho United States, according to Repre-
sentative Slayden (DemocraD, OF Texas.
member Of the House Military Affairs Com
mittee. In a speech I'm his place to-day he
protested against incendary language used
by certain officials. whom he did not men
tion by name.
81 protest against this inexcusable effort
TO disturb the peace" he said "this blatant
yellow Journalism, with official or semi
official approval"
FL Paso. Texas, Feb. ia battalion of
the 18th Infantry accompanied by a ma
chine gun platoon, arrived at Fort Bliss
to-day from Whipple Barracks, Ariz., to
relieve the 4th Cavalry releasing the latter
for border guard duty in enforcing the neu-
trality laws.
The rebels still hold the country west OF
chihuahua and south OF Juarez but appear
inactive aside from raiding ranches TO re-
plenlsh their supply of horses and ammuni-
ton
Torreon. Feb. 1S.--A battle is reported to
have been fought between Federal troops
and Vasquistas on the Nazas River, in the
neighborhood OF Lerdo, in the State OF
Durango.
Twenty-six Vasquistas were killed and
forty-six taken prisoners, according to the
official report OF the battle. The federal
losses are not given.
The Vasqulstas were reported to have
subsequently robbed the American Smelter
Securities Company at Terneras and the
Penoles Company at Matmi.
Rebels in the Laguna district, estimated
at one thousand. to-day formally pro-
claimed Emilio Vasquez Comes President
of the republic and Rafael Cara Aldape
Vice President. and made demand for the
surrender OF this city. The local authors.
ties place confidence in the loyalty of the
garrison, believed to be strong enough to
resist attack.