Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-12-17
Administration Thinks Shoot
ing Across the American
Border Will Cease.
NO THREATS ARE MADE,
BUT U. S. Is TO BE FIRM
Shelling of Mexican Positions, 1t Il
Contended, Would Only Be
Repelling an Invasion.

Brig Gen Bliss, commanding the
troops on the Mexican border, reported
to the War Department today that he
conferred at Naco yesterday with Gen.
Ramirez, military secretary of Gen
Maytorena, the Villa commander OF the
Mexican forces besieging Gen. Hilfs
Carranza troops. Ramirez was told by
Gen. Bliss what was expected OF the
Maytorena forces IN shaping their
operations against the Carranza forces
so as to avoid danger to life and
property on the American side OF the
line, and he undertook to communicate
the representations to Maytorena.
The War Department has not made
public the details of Gen. Bliss re-
port. but Secretary Garrison declared
II disclosed that the conference was
harmonious and that Gen Bliss o1o
not make threats as to what he would
mention was made of any further
casualties on the Arizona side of the
line yesterday. which is regarded as an
encouraging sign.
Firm Action Is Expected.
Ofacials here are expecting that the
orders of Provisional President Cutter
rez to Maytorena to rearrange his
forces If necessary to stop the fire into
Arizona will bear fruit before all the
American troopers and batteries or
dered to Naco get into their positions.
In official quarters here no predic-
tons are being made as to the course
the United States will pursue. but 1t
is generally understood that after
Brig Gen. Scott, chief of staff of the
army. arrives at Naco Saturday and
conducts his negotiations with both of
the Mexican factions, further firing into
American territory can have but one
the United States troops were to shell
the Mexicans out of their positions such
an act would be repelling an invasion
and not an attack upon Mexico.
Orders Executions Stopped.
Special Agent canova, reporting to
the State Department today from Mex
leo City. said Provisional President
Gutierrez had not only issued a decree
stopping political executions. but had
promised to punish any officials re-
so far. Canova reported that execu-
tons. of which there had been a great
number. had diminished.
The Mexican minister OF war also has
assured Consul Silliman that the recent
wholesale executions were without
sanction of the authorities.
Consul Canada at Vera Cruz. report
ing a conversation with Gen. Carranza,
said the ccnstitutionalist chief had moth
ing to add to his previous assurances
that he had ordered his troops at Naco
to control their fire against falling in
Arizona
Zapatistus Hold Puebla.
The city Of Puebla, in the Mexican
state of that name. has been evacuated
by Carranza forces and now is held by
Zapatistas. A report to the State Do
partment today says Carranza troops
burned the railroad station before de-
parting.
From Manzanillo it was reported that
after their evacuation of Guadala5ara
the Carranza garrison retreated in the
direction of Colima, 500 miles to the
southwark Cen Villa was reported.
yesterday in Apizaeo. Special Agent
Carothers. now on his way to Juarez
from Mexico City. reports all quiet
from the northern border to the capt.
tai
Maytorena Withholds Fire.
NACO. Ariz-. December 1.-THE Car
ransa garrison Of Naco, Sonora, opened
IRE with artillery at daylight today
on the intrenchments of the May
torena besiegers. The evident effort
to provike a reply from Maytorena
failed up to 8 o'clock.
Military observers on the American
side. however. believe Maytorena ulti-
nately would be forced to renew the
Interchange OF shots.