Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1914-12-14
CARRANZA PEEYED
BY THREAT OF U. S.
First Chief" Says if America Uses
Force to Stop Firing Over Border
it Will Be Unfriendly Act.
SAYS vnLIsTAs TO BLAME
Speaks of Imprudent and Curious
FlOcking 70 witness Fishtins,
a. if show staged for
Their Benefit.

VERA CtNOLs Mexico, lee. lo--''lt the
United States employs force to stop the,
firing by Mexicans across the interna-
tional boundary line at Naco. II will be
considered an unfriendly act, notwith-
standing the friendly motives cloaking the
act"
In this manner General Carranza made
answer. In a statement TO the AssO lated
Press, to the formal notice served oy the
United States on both Provisional Presi-
dent Gutierrez and General Carranza that
unless such firing ceased force would be
employed to protect American territory.
CarranEa's Position.
Carranza's reply to the American note
which is expected to reach Washington
tomorrow. will be in general a reputation
Of responsibility for any shots that have
Intervention at Naco as a hostile and un-
friendly act.
At no time since the receipt of secre-
tary Bryans note, In which attention was
called TO the repeated wounding and kill
ing Of residents of the town on the north
ern side of the line. has General Carranza
appeared perturbed. but he has had long
conferences with those close to him. and,
in framing his reply, Il is said, he has
been careful not to let himself remain in
any uncertain light
ON Defensive.
General Hill, who Is commanding the
constitutionalist forces at Naco is on the
defensive" continued General Carranza'
and since his back was to the line it Is
difficult to see how he could be respon-
sible for the firing in question. The fact
Is that Maytorena's men have been the
attacking party and therefore It appears
reasonably clear that they. and only they,
could have been to blame.
"As a matter of fact, do not know
that the rights Of the American citizens
have been violated. 1t seems to me that
It would be we'll for the State department
to investigate this question in order to
fix the responsibility.
''I remember similar instances at Ell
Paso, where the Maderista forces were
attacking there. In that case those shot
were for the most part the imprudent
and curious individuals who flocked to
witness the fighting as II 1t had been
spectacular show staged for their
benefit.
bryan Doesn't Realise Gravity.
"As TO the use of force. OF which Mr..
Bryan talks, that is something the gravity
Of which 1 fear no does not fully ap-
preciate. He says It would not mean an
invasion of our territory nor a violation
OF national sovereignty It would And
moreover Il certainly would be an act d.
rectly against the constitutlonalists. who
now hold the town and in favor of the
/ Viliistas, who would be left free to con-
tinue their operations. It would simply
/ be tying General Hills hands and leav-
ing Maytorena free.
"I sincerely hope that the good friend
ship of the American people towards the
Mexican people will prevent the consum-
nation of Secretary Bryans threat"
Bliss Takes Action.
NACO, AriE., Dec. 13-Brigadier Gen
eral Tasker H. Bliss, commander of the
United States stroops guarding American
territory. revoked tonight all passes
previously issued for crossing the inter
national line. Later communication into
Mexico was limited to newspapermen and
( teamsters actually engaged in hauling.
This action was taken by General Bliss
IL was said, as a result OF the reported
effort OF both Mexican factions to send
| agents into Arizona for recruits, supplies
]