Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-12
TERM PRESENT OUTBREAK
PLOT TO SEIZE TEXAS
Investigators Insist Uprisings Are
Organized Under "Plan of
San Diego"
NOT A POLITICAL QUARREL
Citizens Of Brownsville Unite in De-
nying Statement Attributed to
the Secretary Of
War.

BROWNSVILLE, Tex, Au-
gust 12.-Three more Mexican
outlaws were today added to the
list of killed in battle near Mer-
cedes, Hidalgo county. It was not
reported whether soldiers, county
officers or rangers were in the
fight. Officers have adopted a pol
icy of refusing to give details of
fights in which they are con-
cerned.
This is said to account for the
lack of confirmation of report
that eight other Mexican bandits
were killed in Hidalgo county
since Friday.
Action by the federal govern
ment in response to the ap-
peal to President Wilson made by
Gov. Ferguson of Texas, who
asked for an increase of troops in
the lower Rio Grande valley, was
awaited today by officials who, so
far, have not been successful in
fully combating the depredations
of bands of Mexican ranch raid
ers who, in the last several days,
have caused the deaths of nearly
a score of persons in this section.
Gov: Ferguson in his appeal de-
clared the situation was perilous
and grave, and was doubtful of
the ability of the state forces and
local officers longer to control the
situation.
No Further Disturbances.
Adjt Gen. Henry Hutchings of the
Texas National Guards reports no fur
ther disturbance occurred throughout
this section last night. Rangers still
are on guard in Cameron and Hidalgo
counties.
Three companies Of United States
troops from Laredo reached Brownsville
today, the fourth company Of the bat
TALON having been detoured at Kings
Vile.
Not Due to Politics.
Citizens of Brownsville and other bor-
der cities did not agree that the trou-
bles were due to political feuds in this
section. Considerable evidence seemed
to be brought forward that the raiders
were organized into several bands
working under the plan of San Diego,
a movement started year ago at San
Diego, Tex, where resolutions were
passed declaring for wrestling from the
United States a strip. of territory along
the border to be added to Mexico.
While the situation was expected to
be partly relieved with the arrival in
this section of the Sd Battalion, 9th In
fantry. from Laredo yesterday, express
sions Of oficials generally were that
1t would require more soldiers to sup
press the movement.
Citizens Issue Statement.
F1fty-one citizens. representing all
political factions here, addressed the
following statement to the Associated
Press:
Statements attributed in wednes-
days dispatches to the Secretary of
War and Gen. Funston to the effect
that conditions of brigandage in Cam
eron and Hidalgo counties are due to
any political feud are absolutely with
out foundation.
I'VE represent all shades of political
belief and all local political factions.
and we absolutely know that state
naents made are untrue All factions here
are cooperating as American citizens
| to restore order and obtain adequate
protection for our families and prop
| erty."
kilograms of protest are being sent
to Gen. Funston and the War Depart
meat.
Cut Barbed Wire Fences.
The band Of Mexicans in the Merce-
des section yesterday left train Of
cut barbed-wire fences as they rode
through the pastures between that
place and the Mexican border.
There were unverihed reports today
that three Mexicans were slain in
fights late yesterday in the western
part of Hidalgo county.
| The dead in the raids in this vicinity
total eighteen-two soldiers. two Amer
lean civilians and fourteen Mexicans
The raids began July 8.
Texans Sleep on Arms.
| Practically every American citizen in
the three southernmost counties Of
Texas Cameron. Hidalgo and Starr,
rested under arms last night in fear
that the overwhelming Mexican popu-
lation Of the section might break out in
q racial Tight.
Tho Mexican disturbance spread
CONTINUED on Second Page.)