Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-01
CITY ON BORDER
IS FACING FALL
Piedras Negras Soon Will Be
in Hands of the
FederaIs.
MExICANS ARE FLEEING
INTO UNITED STATES
War Department Reinforces Patrol
Along Rio Grande-Texans
Charge Discrimination.

Charge Discrimination.
Piedras Negras, Mexico, across the Rio
Grande from Eagle Pass, Tex, and until
recently the headquarters of Gen. Car
rama, the constitutionalist commander-in-
| chief Is about to fall before the federals.
according to word received here this
morning by constitutionalist representa-
tives. Only a small force Of -constitu-
tionaHsts protect the town, the greater
part OF Gen. Carranza's army having
been moved toward Torreon recently.
The constftutionalsts claim that the posi-
ton is not important Gen. Carranza
now has his headquarters at HermosilIo.
Although great exodus Of refugees
from P1edras Negras across the Rio
Grande into Eagle Pass has taken place
within the last twenty-four hours, off,
Gals here pointed out today that only a
small portion of them are Americans.
Hundreds Are Mexicans.
Hundreds Of Mexicans have been con-
centrating in Piedras Negras from the in
terror of Coahuila, and many Of these
fearing for their safety in the event of
the expected occupation Of the constitu-
donalist capital by Mexican federals. have
sought asylum on American soil.
Officials at the War Department are
not alarmed over the situation. now
that the border patrol has been rein
forced by additional soldiers from Fort
sam Houston, and they suggested to-
gun platoon on the American side at
the international bridges would in all
Likelihood insure protection. regardless
of the straits in which the hard press
cd N OF nd hnv
selves.
Japanese Are Fearful.
So far no application has been received
for the admission into Eagle pass of q
band OF japanese, who it Is said. fear
the federal occupation Of Piedras Negras
because their sympathies have been with
the constitutionalists. In case they
should be granted asylum on the Texas
side it Is probable they would be in
termed, and in that event q question
would Immediately arise over the pay
ment of their board bill. Tho japanese
are said to be destitute.
The State Department was advised to-
day that the commander of the Car
ranzistas, at Piedras Negras, had given
assurance that foreigners and their
ton SO long as he is In command. Other
reports received at the State Depart
ment indicated that the Carranzistas will
not attempt to destroy the international
bridges.
But One Cause for Fear.
The report Of Consul Blocker confirms
the officials in their original belief that
there is no danger Of an international
clash at Piedras Negras. but that the
only cause for apprehension lies in the
presence of q large number of refugees.
not only civilians, but fleeing constitu-
tonalist soldiers, In Eagle pass, on the
american side - the Rio 0rau6es, -cct.tt'
Consul Blocker reported that he had
crossed the river with Maj. Colwell.
commanding the United States troops
at Eagle Pass. and two American citi-
zens and had had q conference with
Gabriel Colzada, the commander Of the
constitutionalist garrison of Piedras
Negras. The latter assured him that no
attempt would be made by his troops,
even in the event that they were
obliged to surrender the town to the fed
erals. to destroy private property.
though the government buildings might
be dynamited.
Constitutionalists Win.
While the federals are apparently about
to be successful at Piedras Negras, word
was received here today Of several i'm
portant victories Of the constitutionalists
in the state OF Puebla. The second larg-
est city in the state. Tezuitlan. has been
captured by the constitutionaIists in a
battle in which 800 federals fell, accord
ing TO the word received here, and three
other important towns in the state have
also been captured. The constitution
alists expect the city of Mazaytan to fall
soon.
Senator Morris Sheppard of Texas today
took with Assistant re ha
Treasury Hamlin complaint received
from II. L. Beach publisher of the San
Antonio Light, and DR.. Jose Roderiquez,
counsel for the constitutionalists at San
Antonio, that the American government
was discriminating against the Mexican
In decisions relating to the neutrality
proclamation.
Advocates Fair Treatment.
Senator Sheppard received a tele-
gram from Mr.. Beach and DR.. Rod
eriquez which he submitted to Assist
ant Secretary Hamlin- Earlier in the
day. while at the White House to pre-
sent friends to President Wilson, Sem
ator Sheppard said he might later call
the Presidents attention to Mr.. Beach's
message He said that both sides in
the Mexican trouble should be treated
fairly and alike.
Assistant Secretary Hamlin later took
the matter up with Secretary OF the
Treasury McAdoo and denied that there
had been any discrimination Of any kind
II was said at the Treasury Department
that It's officers along the border simply
carry out decisions OF the State and Jus
tice departments regarding what does
and does not constitute munitions of war
under the Presidents proclamation II
is considered probable that an investiEa-
ton of the charges will be made.
Telegram Of Protest.
The telegram received by Senator Shep-
pard is as follows:
"Huertistas are buying horses. saddles
and forage In this city. Assistant Secre-
tary Hamlin Of the Treasury Department
has ruled these purchases not in viola
ton of the neutrality proclamation, as
not manufactured primarily for military
purposes. Col. Ortega of the constitu-
tionalist army has been placed under
bonds OF $4,000 at Maria for exporting
through tie regular custom house at the
constitutionalist troops. 1t is claimed by
| officials of the Treasury Department that
/ these articles were made for military
| purposes. Merchants at Eagle Pass and
| Laredo have been arrested for buying
| overalls which the Treasury Department
! says were manufactured for military pur
| poses.
1T is expedient to ask the Treasury
| YNana rrr,apf how II happanc that What