Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-04-16
TROUBLE IN CHIHUAHUA.
Rebel Leader orozeo Refuses to Rec
oanize American Consul.

Il
osnize American Consul.
United States Consul Marion Letch-
er, stationed in Chihuahua, Mexico, Is
not the American consul as far as
General Pascual Orozco. commander
in-chief Of the rebel army, is concern
ed.
General Orozco made this statement
last Friday, declaring that as the UNI
ted States government does not recog-
nize the belligerency Of the Liberals,
the Liberals cannot recognize LetcheF
as consul. Orozco adds that he does
not like the tone Of certain communica-
tions from Letcher.
Mr.. Letcher is merely an American
citizen and entitled to the considera-
ton we grant any foreigner" said
General Orozco.
Mr.. Letcher was not perturbed visi-
bly, when informed OF his ofiicia' os-
tracism and will treat the general
merely as a Mexican citizen.
The official ostracism includes also
James l. Long, the United States agent
at Parral. A series Of incidents have
led to the climax. Since the revolution
began the consul from time to time has
been compelled In the absence of 9TH
er authority from Chihuahua, to take
up various matters with Orozco. The
latter fretted under the fact that the
consul did not address him as a regu-
larly constituted authority.
Less than a week ago rebel band
went through a Mexican Central train
bound from Chihuahua to Juarez, and
seized letters and documents carried
by passengers, among them being con-
siderable matter addressed by the con-
sui to the state department at Wash
ington. Mr.. Letcher protested to Oroz-
co against this act There were sever
al exchanges and finally the Liberal
leader informed the consul that the
letters had been seized because either
they were stamped with American
stamps, or not stamped at all.
Orozco declared that the fact that
the letters were not entrusted to the
mails as conducted by the rebels was
an insult to them, not to mention the
fact that by using messengers instead
of the mails, the rebel government is
deprived of legitimate revenue
In conclusion, the consul was In
formed that his letters were in the
postoffice and that they were at his
disposal as soon as he saw At to affix
official Mexican postage stamps.
Another thing which increased the
tension between Orozco and Messrs.
Letcher and Long was the execution
Of Thomas Fountain. an American SOL
dier fighting under the leadership of
General Pancho villa, at Parral.
Fountain was not a spy, but a SOL
dier, and was captured in uniform and
under arms. Notwithstanding this, he
was condemned and shot. American
citizens attempted to interfere and as
a last resort Consul Letcher and Con-
sular Agent Long delivered request,
said to have been signed by President
Taft for stay Of execution until q
more thorough investigation could be
made.
This plea was rejected almost In
stantly, to the great indignation OF
American residents in Parral. Their
protests against an act which they de-
clare was against the rules Of all CIV
ilized warfare, reached the ears Of the
rebel leader, but served only to stiffen
his attitude. His letter to Mr.. Letcher
Friday plainly indicates his resentment
against what he considers undue inter-
ference by Americans, including the
consuls, in affairs Of the rebellion.