Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-12
AWA|T|NGAREP0RT
ON MEXICAN REBELS
Tar Department Orders Col.
Brewer to Demand Release
of Five Americans.

War Department officials We're today
awaiting with interest report from Col.
Idwin p. Brewer of the 18th Cavalry.
- Fort Mcintosh, Tex, who yesterday
vas ordered by Secretary Garrison to de-
mand the release of five American cit
liens. together with quantity of their
property, which was seized and held by
Mexican rebels at Hidalgo, Mexico. AS
Col. Brewer has no right. under inter-
ational law. TO cross the Mexican Dor
Ter, he will be obliged to content him.
self. in carrying out his orders. to send
ng MESSAGE to the rebel commander
If his demand is refused the War De-
partment will await further suggestions
from the State Department. Officials at
the State Department decline 10 discuss
the course to be pursued in that event
The attention of the State Department
was called TO the Imprisonment Of the
americans and the seizure of their prop
erty by Consul Garrett at Nuevo Laredo
Tex. When Consul Garrett demanded
the release OF his countrymen the revo-
iuts9nistS told him they must await
orders from Piedras NegraS. The consul
at MaZatan has reported TO the State
Department that many destitute Ameri-
cans are arriving at that port and that
he has already sent twenty-four refugees
IL San Francisco.
Fourteen Banditti Hanged.
So great is the 1awlessness around
TanSco that the better class OF Mex
leans have joined Americans in organiz-
ing vigilantes. under commission of the
governor of San Luis Potosi. Already
fourteen banditti have been hanged 1t
is expected that the military governor
will take charge of the state OF Temau-
lipas, as has been done in Vera Cruz and
San Luis Potosi during the last few
days.
Officials at the War Department today
said that undoubtedly arms and ammuni-
lion are being smuggled across the Dor
der. As the frontier is 800 miles long IL
was pointed out that il would be impos-
sible to place there patrol which would
prevent smuggling entirely. But il is in
sisted that only small quantities of arms
are obtained by Mexicans. and that
Americans engaged In the traffic do so
from commercial instincts only, without
regard 10 political sympathy. as arms
and ammunition can be disposed OF either
to Mexican federals or TO constitutional
lists at three times their actual value.
The Mexican federal government has
not yet made any direct complaints to the
state Department charging that Ameri-
can consuis and other American officials
in Mexico are giving aid TO the Mexican
revolutionists in their efforts To over
throw the Huerta government.
SO widespread are the charges which
unofficial reports credit the Huerta gov
ernment with making that officials al
the State Department are inclined to be-
neve they have little foundation. They
believe they have their genesis in the
unfriendliness, bordering in many in
stances upon enmity. in the Mexican cap
itai among federal leaders over the fall
ure of the United States to recognize
the Huerta regime
Consuls Maintaining Neutrality.
All American consuls and consular Of
hcers in Mexico are under specific in
structons To refrain from taking sides in
the conflicts raging in their respective
Jurisdictions and the State Department,
has full confidence in their discretion an6
good sense. Ii was pointed out that il
an American warship of Guaymas hao
thrown its searchli2ht on the city durins
the recent fight there il would have been
OF equal advantage to rebels and federals
Secretary Bryan has called upon
Charles L.. Montague. the American CON