Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-10
AMERICANS WILL RETURN
FIRE ACROSS. BORDER.
Governments Determination After
Full Discussion Of Situation by
Wilson and Cabinet.
SHARP WARNING TO MExIcANs
No Act of Aggression" Contem-
plated, but Officials Think Measure
of Defense Is Fully Justified.
Forces Delayed in Start.

WASHINGTON. December eff the
contending Mexican forces opposite
Naco, Ariz., do not cease firing into
OF field artillery sent to the interna-
tional line will be ordered to return
the fire.
This is the United States govern
ment's determination. IL became known
tonight, after q full discussion of the
Cabinet. No specific orders have been
given. but. while Brigadier-General
Tasker III. Bliss, who was directed to
proceed to Naco with the field artil-
lery, is en- route there, officials expect
an answer to the sharp warning given
to Mexican factions battling across the
border that bullets and shells must not
fall on American soil.
No act Of aggression is oontem-
plated. n statement issued by the White
House to-day said, but officials draw
distinction between aggressive and de-
fensive action. For cavalry or field ar
tillery to cross the Mexican line or
open fire first would constitute an act
or aggression, but to remain on Amerl-
can soil and return the fire of the
Mexionns is. in the opinion of high Of
hctals,- measure of defense fully JUS
tilted. and not an act of war or in
vasion. The White House statement
issued by Secretary Tumulty, after a
conference with the President, was as
follows:
TT has been thought wise to
strengthen the forces at Naco because
of tho reckless carelessness of the
contending factions there in falling to
control the direction of their fire. OF
course, no aggressive action ls con-
templated."
PLAN SHOULD WARNINGS
PROVE INEFFECTIVE
1t was explained Mt the War Depart
mont that the artillery ordered to Naco
the lines OF the Mexican faction which
insisted on firing into American terri
tory. This Is the plan should warn
ings prove futile. The general expec-
tation, however, Is that no such contin-
gency will arise.
The Washington governments action
constitutes precedent for the future.
and was taken to mean that my firing
Into American territory along the bor-
der would be met by similar steps.
Many kilograms had come telling of in
juries and deaths resulting from stray
bullets. and at yesterdays Cabinet
meeting. where the kilograms were
discussed, 1T was understood that the
determination to put an end to such
occurrences was emphatically ex-
pressed.
Rafael Zubnran- Capmany, Carranza
agent here, issued a statement tonight
charging the Maytorena garrison at
Naco with responsibility for firing
across the border. and challenging Gov
ernor Maytorena, on behalf of General
draw into the interior of Mexico for
a pitched battle. He made public a
telegram from General Hill declaring
the American military authorities at
Naco. Ariz.. were acting In favor OF
Maytorena's troops.
LOFT
stantly damaging to the American
town. but we are held responsible for
1T, duo to the discrimination" the mes
sage said. The families of our chiefs
and officers and many of our soldiers
are living In Naco, Ariz. Under these
sonable 1t Is for us to avoid firing to-
ward the United States"
DELAYED BY LACK
OF RAILROAD EQUIPMENT
ELL PASO. TEXAS. December o.
The three batteries of the Sixth Field
Artillery have been delayed twenty
four hours In leaving Fort Bliss. near
here. for Naco, Ariz. Lack of railroad
equipment Is given as the reason.
In the meantime, agents of the Villa
Maytorena faction, who have been here
attempting to purchase ammunition to
continue attacks on the Mexican town,
are alleged to have recommended to
insurgent Sonora government that he
attack before the American artillery
can arrive or an arms embargo be en-
forced.
Three special trains bearing the ar
tillery are expected to leave Bl Paso
early tomorrow They will convey
the twelve cannons OF the three bat
teries and large quantities Of ammu-
milton and equipment to establish a
permanent winter camp at Naco. Near
ly 500 officers and mon will go.
Governor AIaytorena is reported as
short of rifle ammunition and almost
out of shells for his seven cannon, His
agents here. however. expect that he
will receive sufficient munitions to at
tack before tho American cannon be
placed In position,
General Tasker II. Bliss. commando
ing the Southern department, which
has jurisdiction over the entire MeXi-
can frontier, passed through here to-
night on his way to Naco.
SUBHI BEY SURRENDERS;
BRITISH OCCUPY KURNA