The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-19
RENEW ADVICE ID
 AMERICANS NOW IN
 MEXICO ID DEPART
Indications That Chihuahua and Sonora Are to Again Become Theatres of Op-
 erations Lead to Step

Washington. September 1s-villa's dis claimer of responsibility for the acts of lawiess bands in the territory under his control and indications that Chihuahua and Sonora are to become scenes of re- newed military activity. prompted the state departments recent renewal of in- structions to consular agents to advise Americans to leave northern Mexico.
 The correspondence on the subject be- tween Secretary Lansing and Enrique c. Llorente. Villas representative here, was made public tonight by the latter
 on September 15 MT. Llorente wrote:
 Correspondence on Matter
 The provisional government has been unofficially informed that the depart ment of state has instructed consular officers and American citizens in terri tory controlled by the convention forces in northern Mexico to depart from their posts and repair to the United States This action Is said to have been based on their alleged inability to secure from local military authorities adequate guar antees
 Tn view of this reported step. which, if confirmed, would seem to indicate a grave apprehension on the part of the depart ment as to the ability of the provisional government to maintain order and give adequate protection to resident foreigners and their interests within said territory, am directed by General Villa to re- spectfully inquire whether the reported action Is true. and. if so, to express his deep regret that 1t should have been taken without affording him an oppor- tunity to remedy any wrong act, or to remove any feeling of insecurity that might exist on the part of those lives and properties he considers 1t his duty to safeguard and protect"
 On September F MT. Lansing replied
 Tn acknowledging the receipt of your letter of September 15, 1915, regarding the departure of American citizens from Mexico, l beg to inform you that the department on September Il renewed its instructions to the American consular of ficers at Cfudad Juarez. Chihuahua Tor reon, Durango Nogales, Hermosillo. Guaymas, to advise Americans to leave their districts
 This action was taken merely as precautionary meas sure for the safely of
 
 and in order to avoid indignties such as have recently been suffered by Ameri- cans at the hands of lawless bands in Chihuahua and Sonora. Also, in view of the fact that the districts mentioned are apparently soon to become the scene of increased military activity, 1t was de- cided to have American citizens to with draw temporarily, so as to avoid annoy ances to all parties concerned and to prevent, insofar as possible, serious com- plications
 Consuls to Leave Posts
 With reference to the state of Sonora the department has received so many com plaints of raids of YaQui Indians in the Yaqui valley and of seizures of the per sons of American citlzeps there and in other parts of Sonora. that the with drawal of Americans from that state was deemed advisable. The consular officers have been instructed to leave their posts If in their opinion conditions warrant them in taking such a step.
 The department perceives nothing un- usual In the instructions referred to in your letter. For example. the depart ment's representatives throughout Mex leo have been repeatedly instructed since April, 1914. to advise Americans to leave Mexico and the Americans representative at Mexico has had standing instructions ever since April of last year to advise and assist all Americans to leave that place. The consular agent at Los Mochis was recently given similar instructions, and not a few consuls in other places have been directed from time to time to advise Americans to withdraw tempo rarily from Mexico.
 "In this connection I may add that the department was influenced to reiter- ate its advice to Americans by the re- ceipt of recent telegram from MT. George c. Carothers, quoting a message from General Francisco Villa. in which the latter, in effect, disclaimed respon- sibility for the acts of lawless bands and bandits in the territory under his control"