Norwich bulletin., 1915-10-28
To Treat Villas
Troops asOutIaWs
SHOULD THEY CROSS THE
BORDER AT Aqua PRIETA
FUNSTON INSTRUCTED
Should carranza Soldiers Cross They
VIII be Disarraed, But be Permitted
to Return to Mexieo-Latsr Arms
Would be Returned to Thspa.

Washington. Oct. 27.-Shouid villa
troops cross the border and attack the
Mexican town Of Aqua Prieta from the
Texas side, as press reports from the
scene have indicated they might do.
they would be treated as outlaws. dis
armed, and. In the event OF resistance,
shot down by United States troops.
Ofhcials at the state and war depart
ments made this clear tonight. al
though no official advices had been re-
ceived that such Developments were in
prospect.
Major Funston Has Full Authority.
Major General Funston. command
ing the American border forces. has
tul authority to take any necessary
steps to prevent violation OF Ameri-
can territory by Mexican armed par
ties. short OF actually invading Mexico
An order TO cross the border would
have to come from Washington; but
II bullets fall on the American side
| during any battle across the line. Gen
eral Funston may use his artillery to
drive the combatants away.
Duties of Border Patrol.
In a message to General Funston
yesterday, Secretary Garrison renewed
/ general instructions for the conduct OF
| the border patrol With the recogni-
| tion Of the Carranaz regime as the de
| facto government Of Mexico. the border
| situation Is somewhat changed Should
| armed men IN revolt against that gov
| ernment cross the line. they would be
considered. officials explained. merely
as outlaws, to be placed in custody and
surrendered to the Carranza forces on
proper application for extradition-
Method of Procedure.
Should CarranEa soldiers be defeat
ed and forced to fee into American
territory. they would be disarmed but
permitted TO return to Mexico at some
other point on the border. where their
arms would be returned to them. The
United States does not recognize that
. state OF beligerency against the
CarranZa government exists and thers
would be no question OF internment
Would Train Guns on Outlaws.
= In the event OF a battle at Agul
: Prieta in which General Funston founS
II necessary TO use his guns TO pro.
: test American lives and property. 1
Is said that they undoubtedly would b
trained upon the outlaws. not upon tn
: Carranza forces.
= Texas May Ask Protection.
B limitations reached washington to
day mat Governor Ferguson OF Texai
might decide to ask President Wilson
= for a wider use OF the federal troop
$ In the vicinity OF Brownsville wher
I | bandit raids have been frequent Som
: officials suggested that the governo
might himself declare martial Law
within a restricted zone and ask tn
: aid OF the federal government Il
: rounding up the bandits and outlaw
: therein Such n step would obviat
e difficulties in the way OF establishin
federal martial law. in making a re
quest for which the constitution re
= qulres that a governor must certif
n that every resource Of the state ha
= been exhausted without avail. As
W is officials say. federal troops now ar
exceeding a strict Interpretation
their powers in garrisoning Texa
to towns near the border and pursuin
ne bandits in Texas territory.