Arizona republican., 1915-09-07
Takes Hand in Texas Bor- der Imbroglio by Order ing Strict Neutrality Kept by His Men Along the Entire Border
MUST NOT FIRE
 ACROSS BORDER
Says Orders Are His Troops Must Not Fire at the American Soldiers Nor Return Their Fire if Shot at
ASSOCIATED PRESS D1sPATcHI

BROWNSVILLE, Sept. G.-General Carranza took a hand in the Texas border imbroglio by ordering a strict neutrality to be kept along the bor- der, according to a statement of General Nafarrate, of Matamoras, commanding the CarranZa troops opposite the Brownsville section.
 At the same time Major Hay, chief of staff of General Funston, took a trip along the border. He had not returned tonight. It is be- lieved the trip contemplated an i'm portant disposition of the armies now here or enroute to enable them to better control the skirmishes across the international line. For the first time in several days no fighting has been reported by army patrols or rangers.
 Nafarrate said he had replied to Carranza's instructions to keep strict neutrality, that to do this he must have more troops. He is awaiting tonight Carranza's answer. Nafar- rate, saying he wished to cooperate with the American military authori- ties, gave the following outline of the border fighting as reported from nlS SIut Ol tIit IiIlS
 We received orders from Carrar- "a to strictly observe neutrality and not help in any way the Texas revo- lutionists. Unfriendly reports said that several times our men had crossed to the Texas side to fight. This is wrong because our review list. the first of this month, shows no man missing. We have given orders to our officers, not once but three times, not to fire on the American troops even if they fire on us. Two days ago we received a telegram that at the Cavazos cross sing. Texas rangers and Sheriff Bakers men came to the American side of the river and fired on our troops, killing two civilians and wounding one Carranza officer. This officer did not order the men to re- turn the fire. but instead ordered them to retire immediately. He had orders not to shoot and he did not shoot"
 Nafarrate blamed the outlaws for starting most of the trouble. He said the Texas rangers also caused trouble as they were not careful enough to distinguish at whom they were shooting.
 The Nafarrate statement added:
 Colonel Robert Bullard, in com- mana of the American troops has the best of intentions, I desire to cooperate with him to prevent trouble. We believe there is a par ty of outlaws on the Texas side that have been firing at American soldiers and at the same time shoot ing at Mexican soldiers so as to start a battle. They have taken advan- tage of the loops made by the river bends, enabling them to create con- fusion as to whether the shots fired came from the American or Mexican side.
 Our soldiers cannot approach the border because they will be fired upon and I have given orders to my troops to keep at least two kilo meters back from the river Cone and one-quarter miles). But we have to go to the river sometime for water when in a territory where it is not otherwise obtainable.
 If there is good understanding between the American troops and my troops, my men could approach closely to the river and do better their patrol work. If we had to deal only with the American military authorities we could work in har- mony. but if the Texas rangers work on the river fronts as they now do, they will be causing trouble all tho time"
 When asked why he believed the rangers cause trouble Nafarrate said because they were not careful enough to distinguish at whom they
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