Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-10-14
Secretary Garrison Fears
Complications if Arizona
Militia Is Ordered to Naco.
CONFERS WITH PRESIDENT
AND THEN sENDs;,MEssAeE
Telegraphs Requesting Local Inhu.
entail Citizens to Help Allay Ex-
citement in Border Town.

/
son today, telegraphed Gov. Hunt that
the dispatch of state militia to Naco OF
to Douglas, as proposed by the governor
would greatly complicate the situation al
these places.
The Secretary stated that the United
States forces there are now doing every.
thing possible to protect American lives
and property from the danger to which
they are exposed by the fighting Mexi-
| cans across the line. short Of a declara-
ton of war and actually invading Mex
leo. He earnestly advised the governor
to use his influence to prevent Arizona
| citizens from exposing themselves to dan
ger.
| Secretary Garrison declared that he
! appreciated the fact that the situation
was grave. and he didn't want the deli
cate situation made worse by the pres
ence of state troops. There would
come, he said. that division of author
| ity which is always fatal in military
operations, as no army was ever sue
cessful with two heads. He declared
| that the international matter should
be left in the hands of the President,
where 1t rightfully belonged, and A.at
the governor had been so informed in
| as polite way as possible.
Mr.. Garrison's message was in reply
new measures" were being taken by
the federal government to prevent "a
continuance of Mexican outrages
against Arizona citizens" and ex-
pressing a desire to send the Arizona
National Guard to the border.
Similar Situation at Douglas.
Secretary Garrison conferred at
length with President Wilson, showing
him reports from Gen. Bliss and border
officers. In the meantime another tele-
gram from Gov. Hunt arrived. stating
that situation similar to that at Naco
had arisen at Douglas. Ariz., and Sec
retary Garrison Immediately telegraph
ed that two additional troops of cav
airy had been ordered from Columbus,
N. M, to Douglas.
The report from Gen. Bliss placed be-
fore the President by Mr.. Garrison
stated that Naco, Ariz., and Nacp. So
nora, were practically one town. and
that $500 constitutionalists under Gen.
Hill were intrenched in a semi-circle
thanking the international boundary.
Gov. Maytorena, with $500 troops,
mostly YaQui Indians, faced them in a
parallel line about 1.ooe yards away.
Neither side, according to Gen. Bliss.
seemed sufficiently strong to make an
attack, but it was reported to him that
1000 men were coming to the aid of
Gov. Maytorena.
Fourteen troops of cavalry and two
machine gun platoons are patrollfng
the border and all citizens have been
ordered to keep under cover. Much
difficulty is being experienced with
spectators, however, and at one time a
sightseers from Bisbee, Ariz., were
stopped by the American troops.
Fear of Complications.
Gen. Bliss had telegraphed Secretary
Garrison advising strongly against per-
mitting the Arizona troops to go to
the border, saying the only additional
thing which could be done would be
to use force. and the state troops
might complicate the situation.
Gen. Bliss transmitted a report from
Col. Hatfield. in command of the Amer
lean troops at Naco, saying none of
the hostile Mexican forces had crossed
| into American territory, that when GER
tain detachments were about to enter
October IL they had been ordered back
| been fired into the American side. but
| that seemed unintentional, and the aim
| was corrected.
| No homes have been destroyed, an6
the only civilians injured SO far have
been a Mexican woman and her in
| FAINT, both slightly wounded, and Lee
| Hale, forty years old. shot in the hand
| At Douglas, Gov. Hunt telegrapheC
| that one soldier and a child had beer
struck by bullets, which he said seemed
to be deliberately aimed The Aqua
Preita garrison, opposite Douglas. kept
up heavy fire on the night of October
IL, according to War Department re.
ports, presumably to discourage an at
tack by Maytorena forces, but no one
was injured.
/ Garrison's Message to Hunt.
Secretary Garrison's message follows
Il have just received your Telegram
Of October 13. We have at the present
time at Naco, Ariz., fourteen troops o.
cavalry and two machine gun compa-
nies. Gen. Bliss reports to me that i
the local influential men of Naco will
help allay the excitement it will great
y aid in handling. delicate situation
One OF the greatest embarrassment
arises from the activity of the inhabi
tants of Naco, Ariz., and of surround
Ing places who attempt to get near tn
boundary line to observe the lighting.
We are doing everything short O.
invading Mexico and driving the COM
batants away by force that we possi
bly, can do. Additional troops woult
not be any use to us in doing what j
Is proper for US to do under the cir
troops to Naco, 1t would only have th'
effect of further complicating the sit
uation and adding a new element o
risk 1t would also introduce thu
great peril which arises out of divide'
responsibility. An ill-considered NOV
on our side may precipitate an arme'
conflict between the American force
and the Mexicans, with ultimate con
sequences that no one can foresee.
feel you should give the gravest con
s1deration to the great responsibilit.
, you assume In this respect before yo'
determine to do SO.
can assure you and your peopl
, that we are giving constant and sym
pathetic consideration to the situation
and are doing everything that we cal
do short Of engaging In hostilities
The President is advised of the con
tents OF this message and concurs VIII
what is said herein"
Spirit Of Harmony Prevails.
Reports to the State Department to
day from the national convention a
Aguascalientes, Mexico. continued t
speak of the spirit of harmony tina
prevails. and point out several Incl
dents regarded as harbingers OF peacs
Cen Obregon. for instance, made
CONTINUED on Second Pagel