New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-02
REBELS PROMISE NOT
TODESTROY BORDER CITY
Every Protection Will Be Given
American Property Owners
at PiedraS NegraS.
MARTIAL LAW IN FORCE
Mexican City Deserted by Con-
stitutionalist Leaders in
Preparation for Final
Stand at Peyotes.

Piedras NcGras. Mex. Oct. 1.-The city
o. Picdras Negras will not be destroyed
and every protection will be AFFORDED
property owned by Americans and othei
foreigners during anticipated hostiiltle'
between the Constitutionalists and Fed
eral army
This assurance was given American
military authorities late this afternoon
by representative OF General Jesus Car
rama. Constitutionalist commander FOL
lowing vigorous protests made by the
State Department through United states
Consul Blocker.
IL had been reported that. with the
evacuation OF the city by the Constitu-
tionalists. plans had been made to dyna-
mite the town to prevent anything Oh
value falling into the hands OF the FED
erals in case their advance was not
checked by the momentarily expected en-
gagement south Of here.
In the communication 10 Consul Blocker
and the military authorities General
CArranZa expressed the hope that nothing
would occur 10 warrant the American
soldiers crossing the international lihe'
IL was intimated that It might become
necessary 10 destroy some Of the build
ings owned by known Federal adherents.
but that foreign owned property wou!d
receive fair treatment
Following this assurance remaining
residents OF Piedras Negras. with the as
sistance OF the American authorities, Or
canized a neutral government, and mar
tial law now is practically in force. Flfty
men were employed to guard property on
reports that organized bands had begun
TO sack abandoned houses and business
places. Looters will be summary shot'
The protests Of the State Department
were presented by Consul Blocker ana
Major Caldwell OF the 18th United states
Infantry. in command of the troops at
Eagle Pass. At the conclusion OF their
conference with the Constltutionalist au-
thorites. the Americans were greeted
with cries OF "Jugo de Twas grape
iuice). on the American side soldiers pa
trolled the entire river front TO prevent
federal sympathizers crossing the border
10 begin a filibusterlng expedition. rear OF
such a contingency after the army leit
Piedras Negras was expressed to-day by
the Constitutonalst chiefs. Al both cnos
OF the international bridge strong guards
were maintained.
Every responsible chief Of the Con-
stitutlonalists' movement disappeared from
here early to-day. leaving the town al the
mercy OF the Fcderals should the latter
make n fiibusterinG attack from the
American side OF tho river After desert
ing the city the chiefs sent message 20
Major Caldwell. OF tho 18th United
States Cavalry. apprismg him OF the
evacuation and requesting that troops he
used In preventing filibusters from cross
ing the river az this point.
4 squad OF soldiers was left 10 guard
the bridge entrances and enforce order
among the refugees. who were fighting 10
cross the bridge before the Federals
arrive.
In explanation OF the abandonment OF
Picdras NeCras the Constituencies
minor officials remaining here assert that
the entire available fighting force is be-
Ing modified at Pcyotes. twenty-five
miles north OF Sabinas. whore IL was de-
cided this morning 10 make the ina
stand.