Evening star., 1914-12-10
Administration Officials Be-
lieve Policy at Naco Is
Having Good Effect.
IS DECLARED NOT TO BE
AN ACT OF AGGRESSION
Contention Made That This Country
Has Right to Protect Its
Territory.

presence of three batteries of Amer
lean field artillery on the border at
Naco. Arizona, with purpose to shoot
across the line into Mexico if fire into
American territory by the opposing
Mexican forces does not cease, is hav-
ing a salutary effect.
This vigorous policy of the adminis-
tration to prevent further offenses by
the Mexican belligerents endangering
the lives of American citizens became
known last night.
No act of 'aggression'' is contem-
plated as was explained in statement
issued by the White House. but Off
cials draw a distinction between ag-
sressive and defensive action.
A Measure of Defense.
For the eleven troops of cavalry and
three batteries of field artillery to cross
the Mexican line or open fire first
would constitute an act of aggression,
but to remain on American soil and re-
turn the fire of the Mexicans is, in the
opinion of high officials, a measure of
defense fully justified under the cir
cumstances and not an act of war or
invasion.
Although ii is not generally known,
Brig. Gen. Hugh Scott. now chief of
staff of the army, when in command
at FL Paso, Tex, a year ago. placed his
artillery in position along the Rio
CraEde and delivered the same warn
ing, which was needed.
May Hurl Shells.
II was explained at the War Depart
ment that the range of the artillery
ordered to Naco is from five to six
miles. Shells could be sent over the
Mexican town, without injuring the
resident, into the lines of the Mexican
faction which insisted on firing into
american territory This is the plan
tile.
The general expectation, however, is
that no such contingency will arise,
because the Mexican chiefs themselves
recognize that foreign complications
would be serious domestic liability to
whichever faction was shown to be re-
sponsible for them.
The action of the Washington govern
inent constitutes a precendent for the
future and was taken to mean that
hiring into American territory from any
point along the border would be met
by similar steps. Many kilograms had
come from Gov. Hunt of Arizona and
residents of Naco telling of the injuries
and deaths resulting from stray bull
let's. and at Tuesdays cabinet meeting
where the kilograms were discussed
a.
tion to put an end to such occurrences
was emphatically expressed
Hill Sends Protest.
Rafael Zubaran Capmarny, Carranza' s
a&ent here, issued a statement last
light charging the Maytorena garri-
son at Naco with responsibility for the
hring across the border, and challeng-
ing Gov. Maytorena on behalf of Gen.
iiill. the Carranza commander. to with
iTaw into the interior of Mexico for a
Piiehed battle He made public the
tollowing telegram from Gen. Hill:
Il again call your attention to the
Convenience of energetically protest.
ing to the American governme mt
,eainst the irritating discrimination of
ne military authorities at Naco, Ariz
those good graces have been won by
he Maytorenistas.
Bullets from our enemy are con-
srantly causing damage to the Ameri-
can town, but We are held responsible
for it, due to the above mentioned dis
Elimination.
The families of our chiefs and of
ficers and many of our soldiers, under
the shelter of the neutrality laws. are
living in Naco, AriZ. Under these cir
cumstances you can see how reason
able it is for us to avoid firing to-
ward the United States
Defeat of Villas Troops Reported.
Mr.. Zubaran today issued the follow
ing statement, based. it was announced,
on unofficial advices from Vera Cruz
and from border consuls to the agency
here:
Gen. Lopez de Lara reports that he
has defeated Villa troops at Velasco
and routed them with heavy losses.
This was Villas column advancing
on Tampico- Morelia, capital of the
state of Michoacan. adjacent to the
state of Mexico, was taken Yesterday
by Gen Murgia, giving him command
of that district.
Gen AvIles. Villa commander in
Lower California, surrendered yester-
day TO Col. Zantio. This was the last
ifornia. Acting Secretary of Foreign
Affairs Fabela left Vera Cruz yester-
day for this country
Conditions in Mexico.
Dispatches telling of conditions in
general in Mexico were summarized nv
the State Department last night as fol-
lows:
The department is informed that
Sunday Gen. Eduardo Hay arrived in
Piedras Negras and addressed a large
audience at the theater on behalf of
Cen Carranza. 1t is reported that on
the same afternoon Gen. Hay left for
the United States. Good order is said
10 prevail throughout the Piedras
Negras district.
"a dispatch from Mexico CITY con-
firms the report that the permanent
commission met December 5 and de-
cided to call a full meeting of the con-
vention for January l. At that meet
ing. it is stated, thirty accredited "a
fata delegates will attend and partici
rate In the proceedings.
The impression in Mexico CITY seems
TO be that the provisional president Is
endeavoring, in the matter of his ap-
pointments. to give all elements com
mon consideration. DomingueZ Valdes
Lane was, December 5, appointed
controller of the treasury with Col
Alberto Fuentes as assistant
Takes Over Railroads.
The department is advised that De-
cember a train was burned at Cor
doba. destroying twenty tons of car.
rridGeS. II is stated that all outboun,
passengers from Vera Cruz whethe,