The Washington times., 1914-12-21

Mexican Provisional President
Moves to Avoid Friction.
Ships Leave Vera Cruz.

Awed by the display of force made by
the United States in training heavy ar
tillery on his camp. Governor Maytor-
ena has withdrawn his forces out Of
range Of the border at Naco, Ariz.
Information to this effect reached the
State Department today from Consul
Silliman at Mexico City. who said that
Provisional President Gutierrez had been
so advised by Maytorena
In a telegram to Gutierrez, Governor
Maytorena, who for four months has
been besieging the Carranzista garrison
at Naco, Sonora. led by Gen. BENJAMIN
Hill, declared that his forces had not
fired on their opponents, but that Hill
men had fired on them with cannon. To
avoid a repetition OF this. Maytorena
said he had removed his troops "a con-
vcnient distance" Reports from the
border declared that Maytorena's forces
had been withdrawn ten or twelve miles.
Scott's Arrival Reported.
An earlier dispatch to Secretary OF
War Garrison from General Bliss, at
Naco, reported the arrival there of
Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff of
the army. and the placing in position OF
the three batteries of artillery from
Fort sill. Okla, and the four regiments
of infantry from Texas City, which we're
sent to REINFORCE the United States
forces at Naco
The telegram from General Bliss,
which was sent last night, said that
the Mexican forces were still in po-
sition, and desultory firing continues,
but tho department is awaiting tur-
ther advices reporting the withdrawal
of Maytorena's attacking force. General
Bliss reported that Maytorena had post
ed notices in Spanish in Naco, Sonora,
announcing his intention OF, falling back
and suspending his attack in response
10 orders from President Gutierrez.
Maytorena's withdrawal caused. Ar
ministration officials to breathe easier
today. as the suspension of border tir-
ing, which has resulted in the killing OF
five persons and the woundinG OF forty
seven on the American side, -iIl give
General Scott an opportunity TO carry
out his plans Of inducing both factions
to suspend operations on the border.
Warshpis Ordered Home.
Secretary Bryan wa advised of dis
orders at Manzanilio. on the west
coats of Mexico where the Gutierrez
forces in control OF the town are
facing an attack from CarranZista
forces.
No reports OF disorders at Mexico
City or Vera Cruz have reached the
State Department. Secretary Bryan
said. There have been no further
executions Of political prisoners re-
Bryan said he had been informed that
the Gutierrez provisional government
was working on a general amnesty
proposition, the details of which are
not yet completed
The withdrawal Of two of the three
battleships at Vera Cruz. the remnant
of the feet which was sent to Mexican
waters at the time of American oc-
Cupation. was ordered by Secretary OF
the Navy Daniels today.
The super-dreadnaught Texas was or
dcred TO New York and the battleship
Minnesota to Philadelphia. The sup
Fly ship Culgoa will accompany the two
Sattleships North.
Remaining at Vera Cruz will be the
battleship Rhode Island and the gun
boats Petrol and Sacramento. which will
do patrol duty of Vera Cruz as well as
of Tampico The Rhode Island arrived
at Vera Cruz from Tampico to-
d2y to relieve the Minnesota as the flag
ship Of the fourth division Of the At
lqntic feet.