The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1913-02-28
TEXAS SOLDIERS
RUSHED TO BORDER
Governor Orders Militia to Res
cue imprisoned Americans.
HELD FOR RANSOM IN MEXICO
War Department Telegraphs General
SteeVer to Prevent State Troops
Crossing Boundary Line-May
Bring Serious Clash.


Colquitt at midnight ordered four
companies of the Texas State Guard to
proceed 10 Brownsville with all haste
when it was reported to him that
Americans had been arrested and held
for $4,000 ransom at the Mexican
town of Matamoras, across the boun-
dairy from Brownsville, when they re-
fused to contribute money to the Of
fic1als in charge of Matamoras.
The governor also sent this message
to Captain Head. in command of the
brownsville company of the Texas Ma
tional Guard:
Notify Mexican commander at Mat
amoras, who is demanding money, that
if he harms a single Texan, his life
will be demanded as forfeit"
Consul Asks Aid.
Governor CoIquitt earlier in the
night received the following telegram
from Captain Head of the company
of the National Guard which has been
on duty at Brownsville for several
days at the request of the sheriff of
Cameron county:
Have just received message from
Consul Joseph e. Johnson at Mata-
mOras. Can you authorize me to cross
river at order of the consul to protect
the consulate and American interests?
Demand made upon Americans for
money"
Holds Troops in Texas.
The governor telegraphed Captain
Head as follows:
Telegram received Do not cross
river unless you receive orders to do
so. Request American consul and
Americans to come to Brownsville.
Governor Colquitt repeated the tele
gram from Captain Head to the officer
in command of the United States
troops at Fort Sam Houston
Serious Clash May Result.
Washington, Feb PA serious
clash may result between Federal
troops and the Texas National Guard
at Brownsville, Tex, should the latter
attempt to cross the Rio Grande to
the relief of Americans alleged to be
imperiled in Matamoras, Mex.
When the war department learned
that Governor Colquitt had issued or
ders for four companies of Texas
guardsmen to proceed to Brownsville
orders were telegraphed at once to
Brig. Gen. e. Z. Steever. in charge of
the Federal troops on the border, to
send to Brownsville Immediately such
a force as he deemed necessary"
and under no circumstances to per-
nit the crossing of the river except
upon the specific orders of the secre-
tary of war"
Wood in Personal Charge.
When the word of Governor Col
quits action was received Maj. Gen.
Leonard Wood, chief of staff of the
army, recognized the danger in the
situation and Immediately took per-
sonal charge. Over the military tele-
graph line from Fort Myer he sent i'm
perative orders to General Steever to
utilize his forces to prevent the pro-
posed invasion Of Mexican territory.
These he supplemented by further or
ders through the regular channels of
the war department.
OFCSF wore TOOPS 10 DcfoCt.
President Taft has ordered 1000
more troops to mobilize at Galveston,
Tex.
With their arrival at Galveston there
will be a full division at peace
strength about 10000 men, ready for
duty in Mexico.
The last troops ordered out are the
Fourth and Sixth brigades of the Sec
ond division, central department.
Mai. Gen. Carter to Command.
The other brigade of this division
received orders to move Saturday and
is now we'll en- route to Galveston.
Maj. Gen. William Il. Carter, command
ing the central department and sec
ond division headquarters at Chica-
go, will command the mobilization
camp.
Maj. Gen. Leonard Wood, chief of
staff of the army, said that the orders
were issued by direction of the presi-
dent and that the movement was part
of the presidents plan to be prepared
for any emergency.
Does Not Mean Intervention.
President Taft said the movement of
additional troops did not mean inter
vention He said the administration
still adhered to a nonintervention pol
icy. but that he wanted to be prepared
to meet any contingency which might
arise. and that he wanted his successor
to be as we'll prepared as he (the presi-
daufl would like to he
The troops movement ordered fol
lowed the receipt of dispatches from
the American ambassador at Mexico
City and American consuls throughout
the Mexican republic. These dispatch
es stated that almost the entire Next
can republic was af1ame as a result of
! the killing of Madero and Suarez. the
deposed president and vice president
| of Mexico. Dispatches from consuls in
| the northern tier of Mexico states that
| those states were ready to openly re-
volt against the Huerta-Diaz regime in
| Mexico City These reports state thar
| the local authorities IN the states
named were bitter in the denunciation
of Huerta for permitting the assassi-
uation of Madero-