New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-24
1000 Mexican Sol
dierS Seen Enter
ing Aqua Prieta.
GALES DENIES
THEIR ARRIVAL
Sonora Military Governor
Asserts That. Instead,
$50 Have Departed.

Douglas, Ariz.. March RE
ports that approximately 1000 de
facto Mexican government troops
had been seen by United States
soldier observers marching into
Aqua Prieta from the southeast to-
day. coupled with apparent verliica-
ton from sources in the Mexican
town. usually reliable, served TO
arouse apprehension here tonight.
General p. Elias Gales. military
governor of Sonora, stated, however,
that no troops had arrived; that, on
the other hand, $50 of the 500 men
stationed there had been sent to-day
tc Cabullona, eighteen miles south.
In Douglas civil circles the appar-
cnt inactivity of the military in pa
trolling the city was the chief cause
Of uneasiness. II Is currently re-
ported that american troops are MI
der orders 10 make no move which
would serve to indicate to the Mex
leans that the slightest apprehension
Is felt here.
This would explain the peculiar troop
disposition in the city. Only small
provost guard patrols the streets as
in ordinary times. However. the smelt-
crs, city water plant and other public
utilities are guarded by infantry de-
tachments. Camp Harry L. Jones, N
which the American soldiers arc quar-
tered. about a mile east OF the city, IS
MT intrenchcd.
Currcn. report credited by many
local people says that General Gales
is assembling large force at Cabu.-
Iona. Gales denies this. In state
ment to-day he said that Cabullons IS
merely small camp. and not con-
centration point. He declared there
were no more than eight hundred men
there at present.
General Gales also said that Brig
adler General Amulfo Gomez, his sec
ond ia command. is now on route from
Hermosillo 70 Moctezuma With 1000
men 20 reinforce the troops along the
Sonora Chihuahua border. placed there
to guard against a possible western
movement Of villa.
The military governor IS quoted a.
saving also that VI. VI. Dlcguez, COM
mander Of the Dc facto forces IN their
operations against the Naqui Indians
has started FOR Querctaro, having been
summoned there for conference By
Venustiano Carranza. General Fran
cisco r. Serrano. who was displaced
by Dieguez. again is said TO have taken
command Of the Ysqui campaign.
Sixty thousands rounds OF ammunl-
ton for General Gales arrived here by
express to-day. 1t probably will not
be sent across TO Aqua Pricta for de-
livery until tomorrow.
The feeling Of apprehension in Doug
las was made evident late to-day. A
number OF kilograms addressed TO Sem
ators Henry T. Ashurst and Marcus a.
Smith and Congressman Carl Hayden
were sent by local men. urging that
War Department officials be inter-
viewed al once and representations be
made 20 them that orders should be Is
sued 20 the troops stationed here %
they could adequately patrol Douglas
and afford protection 20 the civilians.
Explaining the purpose Of the recent
decree issued by General Gales affect
ing the Chinese. Consul Ives G.. Lclevier
said that the Chinese IN Sonora live IN
a manner inviting disease, IN some
cases as many as fifteen sleeping IN Jne
unyentilsted room. This. he said, was
the cause Of the order that no more
than four should live in one room. He
stated further that the Chinese are
forbidden TO engage IN any occupation
which may be classed as domestic SER
vice. because they have been doing
practically all the washing, cooking,
ctc.. to the detriment OF MeXican
women"
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