Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-03-30
|BORDER PROTECTED,
PRESIDENT THINKS
|Says Everything Possible Is
Being Done to Safeguard
Americans.
VILLA ARTILLERY CLOSE
TO SCENE OF BATTLE
Report That Zapata Is to Evacuate
Capital Again Not Con-
firmed So Far.

President Wilson told callers today
that he believed the administration was
doing everything possible to protect
Americans along the Mexican border.
A suggestion that Gen. Hugh L.
Scott, chief of staff of the army. might
be sent to Brownsville to stop the
fighting near the border at Matamoros
was met with statement by the
President that there was no plan for
that.
Nothing reached the State Depart
ment tday to confirm yesterdays re-
port that Zapata forces were about to
evacuate Mexico City again and that
Gen. Obregon. the Carranza chieftain,
would reoccupyst the capital.
Villa Artillery Coming.
From Brownsville. Col. Blocksom re-
ported:
There has been no firing of any ac-
count since my last report l have
been unable to get reliable inforlna-
ton as to the whereabouts of the re-
mainder of the villa force and their
artillery, but reports / have, inolcate
that they are about twelve miles up
the railroad, which is said to be re-
paired that far.
other reports said fifteen cars OF
Villa artillery would reach Matamoros
from Monterey tomorrow.
Reports to the State and war depart
ments indicated an impending battle at
Nuevo Laredo. Villa troops were re-
ported closing in from Salinas aho
surrounding towns to concentrate az
Lampasos. on the way 10 Neuso Aa
redo.
Six hundred Carranza troops under
Gen. Herrera were reported WithiH
eighteen miles of Nuevo Laredo Mon
there. with all surrounding detach-
ments assembled, the force at NeuVo
Laredo would number about l'Soo.
Reinforcements at Brownsville.
with the arrival of United States
troops at Brownsville. Tex, today TO
prevent the firing into American terri
tory by the Mexican forces contending
for possession of Matamoros. war De-
partment officials are confident that
they now have the situation well in
hand.
Three batteries of the Sd Field Artii-
lery were ordered to Brownsville from
san Antonio and a regiment of tnfan-
rrv is helms, held in readiness at Texas
City to move there on moments no.
tice-
The Villa agency here received last
evening a dispatch from Brownsville
saving that the Carranzista force de-
lending Matamoros has deliberately IN
frenched itself in such Il position as to
compel the attacking convention troops
10 fire in the direction of Brownsville
Assurance is given that the IRE OF the
convention army will be directed with
a careful consideration of the lives and
property on the American side.
nr;+;eh Arc Uorriad
The situation at Mexico City assumed
another of it's rapid changes yesterday
when Sir Cecil SPRING Rice, the Brit
ish amba ssador, called to Secretary
Bryan's attention a report he had re-
ceiyed from the Mexican capital that
the Zapatista forces under Gen. Cara
were about to abandon the city again
and that Gen. Obregon. the Carranza
chieftain in the vicinity. was moving
forward to reoccupy it.
Secretary Bryan said that no reports
Of the intended evacuation had reached
the department
British officials also are understood to
be concerned over reports that the Car
rama garrison at Tampico might with
draw burning the town and possibly
the oil wells of the district in its re-
treat toward Vera Cruz. The Tampico
oil supply is understood to be of vital
importance to British naval operations
Ignores Diplomats.
Commander williams of the cruiser
Cleveland, on the west coast, reported
that Gen. Carranzs had ordered his
military chiefs 20 have no correspond
ence with diplomatic agents of for
eign governments in that region.
1t was announced by the State De.
partment thst the American-owne6
steamer Benito Juarez. held at Acapul
co By Mexican oflcials, did not carry
arms and ammunition, as was alleged
es one reason for her detention.
The JuaPe1 was granted provisiona
American registry recently. but II ha.
been asserted by Mexican officials tha
her previous Mexican registry was mo-
eurrendered-
Caxranxistas r. Hem in Villistas.
BROwNSvlLL. -. March 30.-vil-
L. forces now ,,sfore Matamoros
after their uut. sfui attack last
eaturday, are hnd themselves
hemmed In b. .rza forces from
the west and So, II reports OF ad-
vancing CArranza troops are true
There has already been some hghttng
between villa troops and those Of Gen
ldelfonso vesQuez on the south, but
nothing further had been heard here
early today from Gen. Idelfonso Castro
reported advancing from the west tc