The Sentinel=record., 1915-03-30
STON, WAR DEPARTMENT TAKES ACTIVE STEPS.
CALLS IT DEMONSTRATION
Bryan certain Orders Have Been Given by Mexican Generals Not to Permit Any Firing That Would Go Across the Border Into Texas.

Washington, March 29--At the suggestion of Major General Fun ston, commanding the American forces on the border Acting Secre. tary Breckinridge of the war depart ment today ordered three batteries of the Third field artillery to Browns vile, Texas, as a demonstration to the Mexican forces cOntcnding for possession of Alatamoros that Amer iean lives and property must not be endangered by firing across the line.
 A regiment of infantry also was or dered held in readiness al Texas City to be moved to Brownsville on short notice should it be needed
 These precautions were deemed necessary, although assurances had been given by both Carranza and Villa agencies here that no shooting across the line would be permitted. Secretary Bryan said orders had been sent by the commanders of each fac tion to their troops in and about MatamOros to see that no shots en- tered America nterritory.
 The attacking force is finding Matamoros a difficult nut to crack, according to state department ad- vices today, which said 200 met deatl in tae first assault on the Carranza trenches Saturday. while the defend CTS lost only eight killed and 36 wounded. IL was reported that both sides were receiving reinforcemeuts including artillery. Many wounded Villa soldiers have been brought to Brownsville. but only those in most urgent need of attention win be per mitted to cross the line hereafter
 The Villa agency here received today dispatch from Brownsville saying that only small part of the Villa army operating against Mata- moros took part in Saturdays action and giving the losses on that day at 300 killed and wounded.
 Although the confidential agency is informed that the Carranza force defending Matamoros has deliberate ly entrenched itself in such 8 posi- ton as to compel the attacking con vention troops to fire in the direction of Brownsville" the statement added, assurance is given that the fire of the convention army will be directed with careful consideration of the lives and property on the American side.
 Delay in the final attack on Matamoros will be necessary in order to give time for the convention forces to maneuver into such positions as will minimize the possibility Of bull lets falling on American soil"
 The situation at Mexico City as sumed another of its rapid changes today when Sir Cecil Spring gRice. the British ambassador called to Secre- tary Bryan's attention a report he had received from the Mexican cali- tai that the Zapata forces under Gen eral GarZa were about to abandon the city again and that General Oregon, the Carranza chieftain in the vicinity, was moving forward to reoccupy it. The ambassador is understood to have asked what precautions for the protection of foreigners were contem- plated by the American government in this event.
 Secretary Bryan said later that no reports of the intended evacuation had reached the department. He characterized such information as had been received as suggestions as to what might happen" referring ap- parently to the statement of the British ambassador Earlier the sec retary said assurances had been re- ceived from General Garza that the food situation in Mexico City would be taken care of satisfactorily by the present garrison.
 British officials also are understood to he concerned over reports that the Carranza garrison at Tampico might withdraw, burning the town and 1os- sibly the oil wells of the district in its retreat toward Vera Cruz. The Tampico oil supply is understood to be of vital importance to British naval operations and British, as well as American capital, is invested in the wells. The state department had no information as to these reports. k During the day navy department reported quiet along the
 .st coast of Mexico except near
 ma, in the state of Jalisco.
 ing was reported last Saturday