Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-03
GEN. BLISS BACKS
FIRM BORDER RULE
Defends Disarming of Mexi-
cans Who Cross to the
American Side.
SAYS ASYLUM Is GIVEN
TO ALL WHO SEEK 1T
Deems It His Duty to Protect United
States Soil From "Armed
Invaders"

Emphasizing the fact that armed Next
cans who cross the border into Texas
are armed invaders Of United States ter
ritory," Brig. Gen. Bliss, in command of
the border patrol. today sent an explana-
ton to the War Department Of the act
of American soldiers in disarming the
Mexicans and then forcing them bacH
across the Rio Grande He reported that
any other course would result in the Big
Bend country being overrun with small
armed parties. His report, sent from
Fort Sam Houston, Tex. follows:
so lar as known at these headquar-
tiers. what has been done at Preside
Is in accord with unbroken practice
from the beginning all along the border.
Any one seeking refuge or claiming
asylum is received and protected. Fire.
quent4y armed parties of either federals
or rebels cross the border without evil
dent intent to surrender or seek asylum.
If not found by our patrols, they cross
back at convenient time and place.
Armed Invaders of United States.
Their international status is that of
armed invaders of United States terri
tory. If caught by our patrols they
are disarmed and either held or put
back across the river, according to the
of the case.
Under no circumstan ees are they OBJ
liged to Return where they can be taken
3y their enemies. Feierais are sent
over to the command from which they
came and the same is true OF the rebels.
Depriving them of their arms Is an alb
solutely necessary punishment.
Any other rule will result in the Big
Bend country being overrun with swarms
of small armed parties of Mexicans ter
would require all of Maj McNamee's
force and probably more. and he would
be unable . perform his important duty
of receiving the main body which may
eventually be driven across at Preside.
in short. the requi. emen,s OF nu-
mainly are fully met All civilian
refugees. men, women and chi dren, and
all wounded persons are received and
cared for. All armed men who seek
asylum are received. disarmed and cared
IDENTIFY seek asylum and whose good
faith is in doubt are also disarmed.
IF humanity prevents our sending
them over the river we take care Of them.
II humanity does not forbid and We can
send the men back to join their own
army the local officer acts according to
his best discretion"
Lull In Laredo Battle.
The fighting at Laredo yesterday was
not as heavy as during the proceeding
day. according to Geographic report to
the War Department from Gen. Bliss re-
ceived today. He says that there was no
firing Thursday night, but the battle
opened up again at 6:45 o'clock yesterday
morning, the main attack coming from
the northwest few constitutionalists
were under cover within a hundred yards
of the federal trenches on the southeast
side of Nuevo Laredo. There had been
practically no firing since noon yesterday
and the federals were still in control of
the situation when Gen. Bliss dispatch
was sent last night.
The gunboat Yorktown, en- route from
San Diego, Cal, to Mazatlan. on the
west coast of Mexico, reported her ar
rival today at Ensenada, on the Bay of
Todos Santos. where she was ordered to
investigate conditions. Americans at En-
senada had asked for a warship.
Constitutionalists agents here were
somewhat disappointed at the failure OF
their forces to capture Ojinaga and
Nuevo Laredo before this, but said that
the delay was caused by the lack of am
munition. and that the federals at both
places win be defeated before long.
Thinks Foreigners Are Safe.
Col. Moreton F. Gage. military at
tache at the British embassy here, who
returned yesterday from a. visit of
three weeks in Mexico City. saw moth
ing to indicate danger to foreigners
there. and SO far as his personal OBJ
servations went had difficulty in re-
alizing that a revolution was in prog
ress In the country. The colonel said
he noted signs OF ordered government
about the Mexican capital and along
the railway to Vera Cruz and was
greatly impressed with the rurales. the
Mexican volunteer organisation on
whom the duty of maintaining order
must fall If the regular troops of the
city garrison are withdrawn for serv-
Ice In the field. Members OF the for
eign colonies told him that they did
not anticipate grave disorder in the
city itself.
IT do not believe" said Col. Gage
there Is any danger to foreigners in the
city except possibly in the event of the
government being suddenly deprived of
its head. In that case civil riot might
conceivably arise and the Zapatistas, who
arc said to be bitterly hostile to tne
wealthy classes, might seek to destroy