Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-01-13
Sec'y Garrison
Orders Transfer.

Washington, Jan. 12.-All the Mexi
can Federal soldiers now in the custo-
dy of the United States border patrol
forces at Preside, Texas, will be trans
ferred to Fort Bliss and interned there
indefinitely. Secretary Garrison or
dered the transfer late today, with
permission for the refugee women and
children to accompany the soldiers il
they desired.
There are about 5000 of the Mexican
officers and men who fed across the
Rio Grande when the victorious Con-
stitutionalists entered Ojinaga and
with them, besides many women and
children, are 1900 civilian refugees. The
latter are not prisoners and will be al
lowed to do as they please by the mil
itary authorities, though those desir-
ing to remain in American territory
will have to satisfy the immigration
official.
With Preside 60 miles away from the
nearest railroad it will be quite an un-
dertaking to get the army of prison.
ers to its haven. Brig. Gen. Bliss, COM
handing the border forces, will march
his unlimited visitors 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 of five or six days.
as there will have 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-
versation with Counsellor Moore of
the state department. Maj. Gen. Leon
ard Wood, chief of staff. and Brig.
Gen. Crowder. judge advocate of the
army. His action is in continuation of
the policy adopted months ago by the
war department in disposing of the
Fe6crals who crossed into United
States territory from Mattamoras, Ia
marllpas. some of the soldiers who
Were driven across the line at other
points, though disarmed by the Amer
lean troops were subsequently allow
ed to filter back" into Mexico when
the coast was clear. For the present,
however there will be no more filter
ing back Secretary Garrison an
nounced, either of Federals or of Con-
stitutionalists.
The secretary decided that the wo-
men and children who accompanied the
soldiers into Texas should be allowed
to remain with them in the detention
camp if they care to do so and that in
any case their immediate wants in the
way OF food and shelter should be
provided for by the army
1t was expressly stated that this
4 s.,.4
gency and might be changed at any
time in the future. At present the Unit
ed States will pay for the keep of these
Mexican soldiers and their adherents,
but later on the Mexican government
| will be called upon for reimbursement
Today's order followed the telegraph
ic report from Gen. Bliss dated at Fort
sam Huston: Full details situation
at Preside, Texas, cannot yet be Civ
en-. Small parties Federals still being
brought in from distant points where
they crossed border Indications are
we will have at least 5000 Federal Off
GERS and men besides large numbers
wives and children of soldiers; also
| about 1000 horses. Commanding officer
is supplying food, forage and wood
To insure proper supply of necessities
he Is making arrangements to move
! prisoners to Maria. Arrangements OF
camp for this large number of people
is serious matter l request author
ity TO transport by rail from Maria
TO Fort Bliss where there is sufficient
force to guard Please advise me
promptly as preparations of camps
water, etc, must be made Immediate
ly.