Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-07
Armed Mexicans Arrested by
United States Troops.
DISARMED AND LOCKED UP
Believed That Invaders Did Not
Know They Were Over the Line.
QUIET ON THE SURFACE TODAY
Feeling of Apprehension Through
out the Republic, However,
Of Possible Outbreak.

Thirteen armed Mexicans were captured
by United States troops under Col z. n.
Steever yesterday after they crossed
| the American border line into Texas, at-
cording to reports received at the War
Department today.
The insurrectos crossed the interna-
tional line about twenty Eight miles
northeast of Ell Paso Troops from the
4th Cavalry. under Col. f. H. steever. dis
covered the men and gave pursuit.
The Mexicans were surrounded, disarm-
ed and placed in confinement No deter
mination has been reached as yet as to
what disposition shall be made Of the
cases. but the opinion is expressed at the
War Department that the insurrectos did
not know they had crossed the line into
American territory
Dispatches received at the State Depart
ment from various parts Of the republic
indicate prevalence Of apprehension.
Considerable unrest is evident at various
| centers. and there Is a feeling that
| sporadic outbreaks may resolve them
selves into an organized movement at any
| time However the kilograms do not tell
OF any important movement of troops, nor
| are there any outward appearances or
| PROBABLE conflict at the present time.
Quiet at Juarez.
At Juarez it Is quiet. business has been
| resumed and affairs are gradually adjust
Ing themselves to normal However. pre-
cautions are being taken against the
troops starting another mutnous move
| ment OF other trouble while off duty
When not engaged in military duties
around the garrison the troops are not al
lowed to carry arms.
The military situation at latest advices
was that Gen. Duncan's force of troops
along the border remained precisely as it
| has stood for the past few days. About
| three regiments at nearby posts are held
in readiness to strengthen the border
patrol as soon as Gen. Duncan expresses
q desire for them. In addition, all of the
troops at every military post throughout
the country that would be called upon Ia
form part of the mobile army in case OF
| war have been confined to the limits Of
their posts. and have packed their KNAPP
sacks and blanket rolls. and prepared
their provender ready to entran at a mo-
ments notice.
| 1t is expected that even in the event
| Of the secession of Chihuahua the Amer
| lean army would find no call to cross the
| border. There is likely to be little fight
| ing in the neghborhood of the Rio
Grande, at least in the early stages OF
the rebellion.
Congress to Empower President.
Legislation to give President Taft power
| to fully protect Americans along the
| Mexican border in case Of another
| Mexican outbreak at border points is to
be introduced In the House soon by men,
bers of the foreign affairs committee.
Representative Foster of Vermont, for
mer chairman Of that committee, stated
today that he is formulating proposed
laws that will meet the view Of the Presl-
dent and the State Department as to the
powers that should be given the execu-
tive head Of the government.
Representative Smith OF Texas, demo-
crat. at a hearing before the foreign at
fairs committee today, urged the passage
of his resolution, recently introduced, to
instruct the State Department to press
the claims of Americans at Ell Paso and
Douglas who were injured or suffered
stray bullets from the battles of Juarez
and Aqua Prieta
The United States had its troops there
and should have protected its citizens. "
he declared. Its failure to do SO con-
stitutes ground upon which the govern
ment should be held responsible for the
losses suffered by peaceable Americans
who were injured within the borders OF
the United States
How could the United States troops
have driven these combatants away from
the border without actually underta king
war against Mexico?" asked Representa-
tive Cooper. republican, Wisconsin.
1.-THE troops were sent there to protect
Americans answered Mr.. Smith, land
such protection should have been given. {"