South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-10-02
Orders Are Issued That No
Soldiers Are to be Sent
Across the Border Without
Orders From Capital.
REBEL STRONGHOLD
NOT To Be BURNED
Americans Are Assured That
Property Will be Respected.
Soldiers Are Guarding Inter-
national Bridges.

WASHINGTON. oct. 2-Orders
that no American troops be sent into
Mexican territory at Piedras Negras
without specific instructions from
Washington went from the war de-
partment Wednesday 10 Brig Cen
oIlss' commanding the United States
border forces.
The instructions To Gen. Bliss wopld
not operate TO prevent American
troops from returning any fire that
may be directed upon them from tbe
HeNlcah SIDE such as might be Incl
EeHI 10 the use OF force 10 defend tht,
bridges and keep them open. Sev-
eIdl days ago Gen. Bliss was author-
lzed at his own request TO take care
OF any OF the Mexican wounded OF
either side that should come across
the river. This authorization. il was
said al the state department. was
N"ite SuInclent 10 warrant the zen
eral IN taking under his own care the
SIX carloads OF wounded constitution
aIlSts reported 10 have been sent
across the Rio Grande "Wednesday
afternoon by the fleeing rebels
Regarding the disposition OF the
large number of fugitiyes who are
trying 10 cross the bridges ar Eagle
Pass. it was said at the war denarr-
lhent that as many OF them as bear
arms or are undoubtedly soldiers
would be detained" by the American
military officers while the immigra-
uon inspectors and customs officers
VIII deal with the civilian refugees
TO PROTECT AMERICANS.
PIEDRAs NEGRAS. Mexico. Oct
ne city or Piedras Negras viii
not be destroyed and every protectior,
VIII be afforded property owned ~
Americans and other FOREIGNERS DIR
lAB anticipated hOStilities betueer tba
conStltuuonalists and federal army.
ms assurance was given American
mlltary authorities late "Wednesday
afternoon by a representative of Cen
Jesus Carranza. constitutfonalfst CON-
nander. following vigorous protests
mace by the state department through
I. ;. Consul Blocker.
II mad been reported that with the
tSacuaJion OF the city by the consti-
tuuonallsts. plans had been made TO
dynamite the town 10 prevent anv-
tnlng OF value falling into the hands
OF the federals in case their advance
was not checked by the momeutarilv
eApecIeu ehSagement south of here.
Martial Law i'm Force.
Following this assurance. rernaininp,
residents of Piedras Negras with fbo
assistance Of the American authorities
organized neutral government and
martial law now is partly in force
flIty men were employed 10 guard
property on reports that organized
bands had began TO sack abandoned
residences and business. places. Loot
erS VIII be suwmarilv shot
me protests Of the state deDart
Iheht We're presented by Consul Block
er and Maj. Caldwell OF the -Four
teenth L. 5. infantry. in command OF
the troops at Eagle Pass. At me cor,-
clusion Of their conference with the
consututlonalist authorities. the
Americans We're greeted with cries OF
Juge de Twas (grape juice1.
on the American side. soldiers pa
trolled the entire river front To Dre-
vent federal sym mpathizers crossing tho
border TO begin filibustering expedf-
ton. Fear Of such contingencv ar
ter the army left Piedras Negras was
expressed Wednesday by the consti-
tutOnalist chiefs At both ends ~
the international bridge strong guards
were maintained
Bridges Are Burned.
From tho front "Wednesday came
word that every railroad bridge had
been burned between this place and
PeyOtes where the constitutiOnalist
army is gathered for it's last stand
before the victorious fedpraIs in tbaf-
march 10 the border. Ii rs now inn
possible 20 reach Piedras Negrae fror,
the south by rail and 70 is believed
TINS measure was taken % prevent
further retreat by the rebel army
W eunesday night hundreds OF wa
CONS were still lined up before the
international bridge awaiting an op-
portuntty 20 cross 10 the American
side. Women and children slept in
side. while the men kept watch out
side. guardinV their families and such
OF their personal possessions as they
had been able 90 carry in their flight.
Most OF them are OF the poorer Mex
lean rural classes
Those familiar with the situation
believe that the danger Of general
confiagratiOn is past and that almost
normal conditions viii prevail. unless
irresponsible mobs should get control
OF the city. Discovery OF several cases
OF smallpox "Wednesday created In
tense excitement among the poorer
classes, most Of them in Piedras Ne
gras No trace OF the disease was
found among the wounded. most 30
whom We're transferred TO Eagle Pass
Wednesday afternoon.