The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-10
State and War Depart
ments Are Seeking
Information.
RANGER CAPTAIN
FAILS TO EXPLAIN
All Washington Knows Is That
Remains of Vergara, Victim of
Mcxicans, Have Been Brought
Across Border-Colquitt
Promises All Posi-
BILE Details.

Washington, March s.-Two depart
ments OF the United States government
arc seeking Information as 10 the cir
cuInstances under which the body OF
'-Iemente Ner.ara, an American ranch
man. supposed 10 have been killed by
Mexican Federal soldiers near Hdalgo
Mexico, was found on the American
side of the Rio Grande early Sunday
morning. Stripped OF doubtful details.
the solitary fact known officially to the
state and War Departments is that the
BODY of tho man for whom search has
been made for tho past three weeks
is on Texas soil.
brief telegram to the State Depart
ment to-day from American consul
Garrett. at Nuevo Laredo, Mexico said
the body had been found and that de-
tails would be reported by mail No
mention was made OF press reports that
icNaS Rangers crossed the border and
brought the body back, reporting their
action to Governor Colquitt. This slow
process old not satisfy Secretary Bryan,
who promptly wired the consul to mako
his report by telegraph, and this Is
being awaited.
Bliss Asked for Details.
Meanwhile. the War Department had
become Interested, and Secretary Gar
rison called OH General Bliss, com
inanding the border patrol, for infor-
nation. This brought the following.
telegram from that officer:
Investigation Ncrgara affair being
made. VIII report as soon az facts are
learned. Thus far nothing known here,
except as published In press Affair
occurred about thirty-five miles above
Laredo At a place not on railroad or
telegraph line"
Reasonably assured that neither
United states nor Texas officials had
participated in any action that might
he regarded as violating Mexican SOW
erelgnty, the State Department is con-
ironted with the necessity of making
frcSh representations To General TIuerta
IN the effort to have punished the per-
sons guilty Of Nergara's killing. When
the case nrst was brought TO his at
tention by Charge O'ShauShnessy Cen
eral liucrta promised prompt punish
mcnt Of tho guilty parties. If warranted
by the facts Afterward tho Federal
general at Nucvo Laredo intimated that
Nergara had Joined the Constitutions
alists, and had been killed by them
rhe discovery of the body on the banks
OF the Rio Grande. bearing n half a
dozen fatal wounds, now furnishes
tangible evidence for the further prose-
cution ot the case. Secretary BRYAN
today asked John Bassett Moore, for
mcrly counselor OF the State Depart
rlcni, To his offices for consultation, and
it IL Inferred that subsequent steps
VIII be IN accordauce with Mr.. Moore's )
suggestions.
Little OnlciaI Information.
Acting Chairman Shivcly, OF the Sem
ate Foreign Relations Committee. to-
day conferred with President Wilson
AND then with Secretary Bryan about
the NerSarA case. and said afterwards
that little Official Information had been
received. incidentally, the President
denied that the American government
knew anything OF a published report
.hat Germany had warned Mexico that
amy injury to German subjects would
mec. with retaliation. The President
told callers that Gcrmany's attitude
toward the position Of the United States
IN the Mexican situation had been sat
istactory and friendly and that Ger
inany had occupied Il most diGnified
position throughout. He did not be-
lieve reports. he added. that Germany
was disposed TO complicate the situa-
tion.
Consul Letcher so far has mado no
report 10 the state Department on the
case OF Snyman. the former Bocr gen
eral and British ranch owner, who is
asking protection Tor his property
through the United states government
Also, ii was said that nothing had
been heard of Gustav Bauch, the
American who disappeared from Juarez
several weeks ago. AS for the com
mission charged To investigate the
killing Of the British subject, Benton,
Secretary Eryan to-day said it's status
Was unchanged.