The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-12
ARE: INDIGNANT
 OVER EXECUTION State Department Preju-
 diced Against Rebels ALL EFFORTS IN VAIN Ambassador Wilson Answers Critics. Is Protecting Americans From the
 Rebels--None Have Appealec
 to the British Legation
ALL EFFORTS IN VAIN

Washington, April 11.-Indignation of state department officials over the execu- ton of Thomas Fountain. the American gunner, who was captured by the rebels at Parral. is believed to be certain to preju- dice any attempt on the part of the Mex ican rebels to obtain recognition of bel liRerent rights, so necessary to suc- cessful conduct of their campaign.
 Efforts Were in Vain
 The state department did everything in It's power to prevent the execution, which in its opinion was in violation of the rules of war of all civilized countries. A tele- gram received only this morning from American Consul Leteher at Chihuahua, dated on April g. and much delayed in transportation, said the consul had pro- tested to the rebel chiefs against the exc cution of Fountain, not only at Chihua- hua, but at Parral, where the man was arrested However, he had just heard through the local newspapers which he believed to be accurate. that Fountain had been tried and executed that morn- ing,
 In the opinion of the state department the mans execution was deliberate mur- der But it is recalled that in his procla- nation President Taft expressly warned Americans against participating in the rev solution on either side, indicating plain ly that they would do so at their own risk This, however, does not preclude the American government from taking measures to get repnration. Meanwhile there does not appear to be any iminedi- ate action In contemplation.
 Coincidence
 It is regarded as rather a coincidence that At the time of Fountains execution Orozco, the rebel commander in chief, d. rected a long statement to the state de- partment. This might be regarded as tn, forerunner of an application for the recognition by the United States of the belligerency of the Mexican rebels In IL Orozco expressly denied the existence of any feeling hostile to Americans on the part of the rebels, and repudiated the proclamation which was widely circulated along the border recently bitterly att taeking the Americans in Mexico This, he declared, was the product of Colonel Enrile, who had no authority to repre- sent him.
 Wilson Answers Critics
 Mexico city April 11.--W Washin gton correspondents who fear Ambassador Henry Lane Wilson is unable to prop erly care for American interests in Mexico, so far as legation can are unnecessarily alarmed according to the annbassador. who tonight issued state ment relative to Washin gton dis patches to newspapers in the south vest. The ambassados recites that the enbassy's attention has been called to dispatches quoting 4 letter written to Representative Burleson of Texas in which the statement is made that many Americans have enrolled theic names with the British legation, ''ex- pecting to obtain a ni--snre of protecv ton which they could not obtain from the embassy
 This report says ,sr Wilson in his statement tonight, which is utter ly maliciously false. but calculated to increase the alarm of the friends and relatives of Americans in Mexico, be- iieve Ii my duty to denounee as wholly untrue and misleading and I feel safe in saving that there is not m American lin Mexico, whose opinions are worthy of consideration. who entertains the opinion that American lives and prop erty are not receiving from the cm- bassy that full measure of protection which 1t Is possible for diplomatic establishment to afford.
 Governments Advised
 "The Mexican government and tho American government are we'll advised of the diligent. persistent and usually successful efforts of this embassy to meet it's responsibilities in the grave condition of affairs which exists nere. tCONTINUED ON PAGE 9I