The Washington times., 1915-09-04
Forty-fve Americans
Near Death in Mexico
AS Train Is Blown Up

Forty-fve American refugees from
Mexico City narrowly escaped annihila-
ton when Mexican bandits blew up
train on the Mexico City-Vera Cruz
railway near Vera Cruz. according to
a dispatch which reached the State De-
partment today from Consul John X.
Silliman.
These refugees. including men. women
and children, weer on a train tmmedi-
ate behind that destroyed. More than
200 Mexicans were killed In the wreck
and the Americans who reached Vera
Cruz from the second train described
the scene as horrible.
1t is thought likely that the Mexican
bandits were really lying in ambush for
the train carrying the Americans. most
Of whom are known to be carrying
whatever money remained in their pos
session after their troubles in Mexico
City.
Disturbances Confirmed.
Confirmation of the disturbances oc-
curing last night along the Texas bor-
der was received at the War Depart
ment today In reports from Maj. Gen.
Frederick H. Funston. The general
reported to him that bandits were rob-
bing near Nebraska station. between
San Deminto and the Rio Grande. Cor
poral Sword and Ave privates OF Troop
A. Twelfth Cavalry: arrested Mexican
with a pistol and shotgun near Nebras-
ka station later In the night. and at
o'clock yesterday morning arrested two
more. The man with the shotgun tried
to escape. and was killed. The other
two were taken to San Benito and
turned over to the civilian authorities.
officials Of the Government are
growing more and more concerned
over conditions along the Texas bor-
der
have in its possession definite infor-
nation concerning the plans of MeXi-
can bandits and soldiers to invade the
Anne rican territory. AS the activities
Of these bands become more more pro
border on the Texas side have been
seized with terror. The army Of the
United States is being openly fiaunt-
ed.
With almost the entire mobile force
Of the regular army at his disposal
Mai Gen. Frederick H. Funston
commanding the border troops. has
been beer n,h unable to cheek the growth h. in in
bandits across the boundary line.
Has To Deploy Forces.
Compelled to deploy his forces along
the entire stretch OF the border and
handicapped by policy which does not
permit him to invade Mexican territory
/ the man who Quelled the inSurrectos In
the Philippines has been forced to see
the area under his control preyed upor
| bl desperate brigands.
| Knowing that they are free from pur.
suit the moment they get back acros,
the Rio Grande the Mexican raiders
| have become bolder and bolder and ex.
peditions for plunder have been carried
| far into the interior of Texas.
| From the Mexican side volleys are re
peatedly fired at American soldiers or
this side Of the line. The War Depart
ment has received confirmation of the
killing yesterday of another American
citizen near Brownsville and of tn,
firing on an American army aeroplant
from Mexicans lying In ambush on tn,
Mexican side
In view Of these developments tn,
Administration Is being strongly urged
not only by officials in Washington bu
by the people Of Texas, to take promp
action to bring about relief
| The CarranZa agency still denie
the report that Carranzistas hav,
gathered in large numbers along tn
border to invade American territor!
the moment the United States def
nitely refuses to recognize the Car
rama government.
This report, however, is being &C
| cepted as accurate by large numbeR
OF people in Texas. and Is largsl.