Evening star., 1913-02-25
FOUND TO Be UNTRUE
Rumors of Threats Against
Americans in Mexico.
TEXAS GOVERNOR PROMPT
Dispatches State Troops to the Bor.
der Because of Reports.
FEDERAL FORCES ALSO ALERT
Excitement Grows Out of Demand
Made Upon Native Residents
of Matamoras.

BROWNSVILLE. Tex, February 25.-
Today's investigation of rumors that
Americans had been threatened in Mata-
moras. Mexico. last night. showed that
the stories circulated were much eNag
gerated. The military commander in
Matamoras levied on Mexican resident.
of the city TO maintain his soldiers a =
protection against bandits Americans
however. We're not molested
The rumors led TO Immediate action IN
the part of Gov. Colquitt of Texas. who
ordered four companies of state troop,
to the border. 4 report current
that Jesse III. Johnson, American consul
at Matamoras, had been arrested upon
his refusal to contribute To the garrison
fund. but this also was unfounded
When seen late last night. Mr.. Johnson
told the Associated Press he had no
apprehension of any serious develop
ments in Matamoras within the next
twenty-four hours
Rumor Communicated to Governor.
Capt. Head of the company OF Ma
tional Guard which has been on duty
at Brownsville for several days at the
cameron
county had sent the following dispatch
to the governor:
Have just received message from
Consul Johnson at Matamoras. Can
you authorize me to cross river at
order of the consul to protect the con-
sulate and American interests De
mand made upon Americans for money
tonight"
The governor telegraphed Capt Head
as follows:
river unless you receive orders to do
SO. Request American consul and
Americans to come to Brownsville"
The governor sent this message also
to Capt Head:
Notify Mexican commander at Mata-
moras. who is demanding money, that IL
he harms a single Texan his life will be
demanded as a forfeit.
Action by Federal Government.
When the War Department learned that
Gov. Colquitt had issued orders for four
companies of the Texas militia to proceed
to Brownsville, orders were telegraphed
at once to Brig. Gen. f. H. Steever. in
charge Of the federal troops on the
border. to send to Brownsville immedi-
ately such force as he deemed neces-
sary.' and under no circumstances per
NIT the crossing of the river, except under.
the specific orders of the Secretary OF
War"
Comment by Colquitt.
Gov. Colquitt, when informed that War
Department officials had ordered United
States troops sent to Brownsville. said
THE statement from Washington shows
a ridiculous lack of information and a
lack of understanding of the desires
of the officials of the state of Texas
After 1 received a telegram from the
sheriff and county judge of Cameron
county. l talked TO Gen. Steever at Fort
Sam Houston over long g-dstance tele-
phone and asked him if he could send re-
lief to Brownsville.
HE said he could not unless he had
instructions from Washington TO do so.
He said he had asked Washington 10 al
low him to send troops to Brownsville
some time ago, but that he had never
received any instructions TO do so
"After he told me he could not send the
protection required by the people Of
Brownsville / gave orders for the state
troops to proceed there. and I told Gen.
Steever that l intended to do So"
Ranger Force Moving.
LAREDO, Tex. February 25-Ths Tex
as ranger force here received orders this
morning to proceed to Brownsville. Tex
One troop OF the 14th United States
Cavalry has left here for Brownsville
carrying equipment for thirty days field
service. The cavalry is due at Brownsville
tonight.
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