Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-03-30
MORE TROOPS SENT
TO BROWNSVILLE
Demonstration to Mexican Forces
That American Lives Must
Not Be Endangered.
REGIMENT is IN READINESS
Both Carranza and Villa Give As
surances That No Firing Across
Line Will Be Permitted.


Department. ordered three batteries Of
the Third Field Artillery to Browns
VILE. Tex, to-day as demongtration
10 the Mexican forces fghtlng for pos
session OF Matamoros that American
lives must not be endangered bv firing
across the line. A regiment Of infantry
also was ordered held in readiness at
Texas City. to be moved to Browns
VILE II needed
Those precautions were deemed neces-
aary, 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 commanders OF each faction
to their troops in and about Mata-
moron to see that no shots entered
American territory.
The attacking force Is nnding Mata-
moros a difficult nut to crack, accord
ing to State Department advices to-day.
which said 200 perlshed IN tho first
assault on the Carranza trenches on
Saturday. while the defenders lost only
eight killed and thirty-six wounded.
II was reported both sides were re-
ceivins sre-enforcements. including artll-
lery. Many wounded Villa soldiers
have been brought into Brownsville.
out only those in most urgent need OF
attention Will be permitted to cross
The line hereafter
VILLA AGENCY GIVES LOSSES
AS 800 KILLED AND WOUNDED
Tho Villa agency received a dispatch
from Brownsville saying only a small
part OF the villa army operating
against Mntnmoros took part In Satur-
days action. and giving that days
losses as 300 killed and wounded
Although the confidential agency Is
informed that the Carranzista force
defending Matamoros has deliberately
intrenched itself in such position as
10 compel the attacking convention
troop to fire in the direction of Browns
VILE" the statement added. assurance
Is given that the fire OF the convention
army would be directed with a careful
consideration OF tho lives and property
on the American side
Delay in the nnal attack on Mata-
moros Will bc necessary. in order to
give time for the convention forces TO
mAneuver into such positions as will
minimize the possibility OF bullets fall
Ing on American soil"
The situation at Mexico CITY as
sumed another OF its rapid changes to-
day. when the British ambassador. sir
4 Spring Rice. called to Secretary Bryan's
: attention a report he had received from
the Mexican capital that Zapata forces
under General Garza were about to
abandon the city again. and that Cen
eral Obregon. Carranza chIeftain, was
moving forward to reoccupy It,
The ambassador was understood to
have aaked what precautions for tho
protection OF foreigners were contem-
VI p.atcd by the American government I'm
that event.
> REPORTS OF INTENDED
EVACUATION RECEIVED
Secretary Bryan said later that no
= reports OF the intended evacuation had
reached tho department. Earlier thew
said assurances had been received from
General Garza that the food situation
In Mexico City would be taken care
OF satisfactorily by tho present sarri
British officials also are Understood
to be concerned over reports that the
Carranza garrison at Tampico might
withdraw. burning the town. and pos
- sibiy the oil wells, Of the dfstrict IN
Its retreat toward Vera Cruz. The
! Tampico oil supply Is understood To
be OF vital Importance to British naval
operations. and British as we'll as
American capital is, invested In the
wells. The State Department had no
information as to these reports.
During the day Navy Department
messages reported quiet along the wes,
coast of Mexico. except near colima.
In the State OF Jalisco.
Fighting was reported last Saturday
Y fifteen miles from that place Com
" mander Williams, OF the cruiser Cleye
land. on the west coast, reported that
General Carranza had ordered his mill
tary chiefs In that region to have no
: correspondence with diplomatic agents
OF foreign governments
II was announced by the State Do
partment that the American-owned
steamer Benito Juarcz, held ut Acapulco
by Mexican officials. did not carry arms
and ammunition. as was alleged as one
reason for her detention. The Juarez
was granted provisional American reg
istry recently. but 1t has been asserted
by Mexican officials that her previous
Mexican registry was not surrendered
department officials were still In doubt
day as to whether this was neces
sary before American registry would
oe granted.
FUNSTON GOES TO TAKE
PERSONAL. COMMAND
SAN ANTONIO. TEX. March 90
srisadier General Frederick Funston.
.ommandine the department OF the
l@A