The Washington times., 1915-09-06
j. s. AND MEXICO
ON THE BRINK OF WAR
American Flag and Uniform No
Protection on Border, Fun
ston Reports.
Continued from First Page.)


soldiers. as he at that very hour had
them all assembled for a review in
Matamoras town. That Nafaratte made
offer or suggestion that more consti-
tutionalist troops be ordered to the
Matamoras district for the purpose OF
cooperating from the Mexican side In
stopping bandit disorders along the
river against the American side. That
General Nafaratte. representing the
consututionalist authority in Matamoras
district is very anxious to do this.
Consul added for himself his belief
that recent firing from the Mexican
side Of the river has been by men
whom unsettled conditi in Mexico
for some years have turned from hon
est men into outlaws. That he will by
wire and letter at once report. explain
ing conditions to General Carranza and
to the constitutionalist representative
"'Consul emphasized repeatedly Ma
farettes suggestion Of ordering more
Constitutioralist troops to Mataromas
with American AUTHORITIES to stop pas
sage of the river by bandits. l an
swered that could only report his
visit and statements to you.'"
Excuse to Increase Force.
Apparently suspicious that Nafarat:e
merely wished an excuse to increase the
size of the Carranzista forces on the
opposite side of the river: It appears
Funston % on directed Buliard to require
Nafaratte himself to move his command
back
San Antonio. September s, from Fun
ston: Following received:
'Carranza consul states to me that he
has today in person informed Car
ranzistas District Commander Nafarete
a: Matamoras of facts that American
-.~1 NJ, ,t-tn
ing facing each other across river near
Mission and in danger of conflict; that
Nafarete replies he would order
his troops to move back from banks s
Mexican side would be by men other
than his: that yesterday one consti-
tutional officer was killed and one
river at Cavazos already reported by
Captain Mccoy. Same consul sug-
gested conference American military
authorities with constitutionalist mil
itary authorities at bridge to try to
avoid difficulties. I replied that I
would inform Department Commander
Bulland'
Aeroplane Fired On.
General Funston wired under date OF
September 4: "Following just received
from Colonel Bullard. Brownsville
'Aeroplane now in air in vicinity OF
Brownsville has been fired on three sep
Brownsville hastfriu =. 'xzf vbg vb b
arate times. Some one hundred shots
in all were counted. 1t has been over
United States territory all the time.
Our outpost at international bridge and
the one at Brownsville pumping plant.
locate firing as coming from big bend In
river just west Of Brownsville. prob
ably Mexican outpost, as the firing on
aeroplane reported on September l was
from same locality. The troops occupy
ing south bank of river are Carranzts-
tas. At same time that firing on aero
plane was going on our outpost at
brownsville pumping plant was fired
on. This fire was returned. No casu-
altieS on our side.
ing from his subordinate officers:
Report from San Benito: Party OF
bandits. number unknown. two and one
half miles south of San Benito this
morning. Detachment of infantry and
posse Of citizens now starting from San
Benito. Detachment of cavalry ordered
were seen along the river for CO opera
liOn with reinforcements from San
BGnito."
Captain Mccoy reports from Sission:
Mr.. Drew and one man from Drew
ranch near Merido were fired on about
a. m. by MeXicans from south side of
river. About the same time Texas rang.
ers at Cabasos Crossing were fired on
side. Practically the entire command
from Mission is now In the vicinity
were the firing was done.
Americans In Grave Danger.
That Americans seeking to escape
from interior parts Of Mexico are n
lrave danger from attacks being made
On passenger trains both In the north
ond from Mexico City to Vera Cruz Il
indicated in dispatches to the State De-
partment today.
Consul Garrett at Nueva Laredo. fol
example. reports the blowing up, Of the
engine Of a passenger train thirty-si1
miles norths of Monterrey by Villists
soldiers. Seven American refugees were
on board the train. but none was In
jured.
Consul Canada at Vera Cruz reported
the deralment of a passenger train or
the Mexican Cenertl railway. between
Mexico City and Vera Cruz. near Cor
dova. The train was bound west from
Mexico City. Details are lacking as tc
whether any Americans were on boarc
and whether any was injured.
That Carranza's rule in southern Mex
leo is Crumbling is indicated in a dis
patch to the State Department tellinf
Of new uprising against his authorit,
H. Progresso. where 800 troops mutinied
killing the Carranza governor. Car
ranza troops are being rushed to tn,
scene. Apparently no foreigners wer'
Two carloads of provisions for tn,
American colony in Mexico City hav'
just arrived there. Siliman reports OF
the authority of the superintendent o
railways.
The State Department received con
irmation Of the Carranza claims o
Victory at Saltillo and Paredon.