The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-12-10
WILL Be ORDERED
TO RETURN FIRE
MEXICAN FORCES MUST
CEASE FIRING INTO AMER
IcAN TERRITORY
u. S. GOVERNMENT
is DETERMINED
10 Rems \ on American Soil and
Return Fire Would Not Be an
Act Of War.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 9.-Tfsthe ron :
lending Mexican forces opposite Naco,
5Aris.. do not cease firing into Ameri-
can territory the three batteries OF
Held artillery sent TO the international
iine VIII be ordered to return the Are
Fhis Is the United stetes Govern l.
nsnt's discrimination, it, became
Known tonight after a full discussion
of the situation by President Wilson
and his cabinet. No specific orders
nave been given. but while BrIgadier
General Tasker II. Bliss, who was H.
rected to proceed to Naco, with the
neid artillery, is en- route there. off
ciain expect an answer to the sharn
warning given to Mexican factions
battling across the border that bullets
and Shells must not fall on American
soil. e'''
N9 act OF aggression" is contem-
plated. statement made by the
White House today said, but officials
draw distinction between aggressive
and defensive action. For cavalry or
Held artillery to cross the Mexican
line or open fire first would constitute
an act OF aggression. but 20 remain
on American soil and return the fire
OF the Mexicans is. in the opinion OF
high officials. measure Of defense
FULLY justified and not an act OF war
or invasion. ~, :.
. The White House statement issued
by Secretary Tumulty after q confer
ence with the President was as fol-
lows:
"It has been thought wise to streng-,
then the forces at Naco because OF
the recklessness OF the contendins
factions there In failing to control the
direction of their fire. OF course, no
aggressive action fs contemplated
1t was explained at the war depart
ment that the artillery ordered to
Naco could fire over the Mexican town
into the lines OF the Mexican factions
which insisted on firing into Amerf-
can territory. This is the plan should
warnings prove futile. The general ex-
pectatfon however, is that no such
contingency will arise.
The Washington governments ac-
ton constitutes a precedent for the fu-
ture and was taken to mean that any
firing into American territory along
the border would be met by similar
steps. Many kilograms had come te.-
ling OF injuries resulting from stray
bullets. end at yesterdays cabinet
meeting, where the kilograms wore
discussed, IL was understood that the
determination to put an end to such
occurrences was emphatically ex-
pressed.
Rafael Zubaran Company, Ca4ranza
agents here, issued q statement To-
night charging the Maytorena garri-
SON at Naco with, responsibility for
firing across the border and cha1Iang-
ing Governor Maytorenn On behalf
of General Hill, the Carrenza com
mander. 20 withdraw into the inter-
for of Mexico for q pitched battle. He
made public a telegram from General
Hill declaring the American miiib ry
at lNaco, Ariz, were dis
eliminating in favor OF Maytorena's
troops. u q =
..Bullets from our enemy are con-
stantly causing damage to the Ameri-
can town. but we are held rasponsi-
Bile for II due to the discrimin z
the message sai0. u
nThe families OF our chiofs and or
ficers and many OF our soldiefe are
living In Naco, Ariz. Under Sthesescir-
tnmstnnces you can see how reasonable
i - for as 20 avoid Afsas, sseard the
United States.s