Norwich bulletin., 1914-01-13

Washington, Jan. 12.-An the Mex fcan federal soldiers now in the GUS tody of the United States border pa troI forces at Presidio, Texas. will be transferred to Fort Bliss and interned indefinitely. Secretary Garrison or dered the transfer late today. with permission for the refugee women and children to accompany the soldiers if they desire.
 ican officers and men who fed across the Rio Grande when the victorious constitutionaliSts entered Ojinaga and with them, besides many women and children, are I 500 civilian refugees. The latter are not prisoners and will be allowed to do as they please by the military authorities, though those de- kfring to remain in American terri tory will have to satisfy the inmi- grafton officers.
 e7 Mile March for Prisoners.
 With Presidio 67 miles away from the nearest railroad it will be quite an undertaking to get the army of prisoners to it's haven. Brigadier Gen eral Bliss, commanding the border forces will march his uninyited viS- itors northward to Maria and there put them aboard trains for Fort Bliss, near Ell Paso. The thousand or more horses brought over by the Mexicans probably will be used on the journey or alOuL 1OuT Udy as LucIc " A1I nave to be wagon trains for the sick and wounded, the women and children and the baggage
 Secretary Garrison determined to hold the refugees after an hours con- suItation with Councillor Moore of the state department, Major General Leon ard Wood, chief of staff, and Brigadier General Crowder, judge advocate gen. eral of the army. His action is in con- tinuation of the policy adopted months ago by the war department in dispos- ing of the federaIs who crossed into Arizona from Nogales, Sonora, and into Brownsville, Texas, from MaIamoras, Tamaulfpas.
 Some of the constitutionalist sol diers who were driven across the line at other points. though disarmed by the American troops. were subsequent 1y allowed to filter back into Mex leo when the coast was claar. For the present, however there will be no more Altering back" Secretary Gar rison announced, either Of federais or of constitutionalistH
 The secretary decided that the wo- men and children who accompanied the soldiers into Texas should be all lowed to remain with them in the de- tention camp if they care to do so and that in any case their immediate wants in the matter of food and shell ter should be provided for by the army.
 It was expressly stated that this policy is intended to meet an emer- Eency and might lse changed at any time in the future. At present the United States will pay for the keep oe these Mexican soldiers and their ad herents but later on the Mexican gov ernment will be called upon for re- imbursement.
 Report of General BIiss.
 roday's order followed this tele- graphic report from General Bliss, dated at Fort Sam Houston:
 Full details situation at Presidio, Texas, cannot yet be given. Small parties federa1s still being brought in from distant points where they crossed border. Indications are we will have at least 5000 federal off, cers and men besides large number wives and children of soldiers; also about 1000 horses. Commanding off, cer Is supplying food. forage and wood. To insure proper supply of necessities he Is making arrangements to move prisoners to Maria Cues ton of permanent camps for this large number of people very serious matter. Can authority be given to ship them to Fort Rosecrans, San Diego, where other prisoners are held. If SO ar engagements can be made to begin ship Ment as soon as they begin to arrive @k Maria If this cannot be done, I %auert authority to transfer inme- 6lateiy by rail from Maria to Fort force to guard Please advise me promptly as preparations of camps, water, etc. must be made immediate I~p