The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-21
AMERICAN TROOPS VICTIMS
OF TREACHEROCS ATTACKS

American garrisons have been at
tackled at night, American soldiers
killed and their equipment and horses
stolen; American ranches have been
raided. property stolen and destroyed,
and American trains wrecked and
plundered. The attacks on Browns
vile, Red House ferry. Progreso post
Office, and Las Peladas, all occurring
September last, are typical
In the attacks on American terri
tory Carranzista adherents. and even
Carranzista soldiers. took part In the
footing, burning and killing. Not only
We're these murders characterized by
ruthless brutality, but uncivllized acts
of mutilation were perpetrated.
Representations We're made TO Gen
eraI Carranza and he was emphati-
cally requested TO stop these repre-
hensible acts in section which ne
has long claimed to be under the
complete domination of his authority
Notwithstanding these representations
and the promise of General Nafar-
rete to prevent attacks along the in
ternational boundary. in the follow
ing month OF October passenger
train was wrecked by bandits and
several persons killed seven miles
north of Brownsville, and an attack
at the same place several DAYS later
BANDITS MADE HEROES;
ATROCITIES UNFINISHED
Since these attacks leaders of the
bandits. well known both to Mexican
civil ana military AUTHORITIES as well
as to American officers, have been en-
joying with impunity the liberty OF
the towns of northern Mexico.
SO far has the indifference tina
de facto govern to these atrocities
gbne that some of these leaders. as
am advised. have received not only
the protection of that government, but
announcement and aid as we'll
Depredations upon American. per-
sons and property within Mexico juris-
diction have been still more numer-
Gus. This government has repeatedly
requested. In the strongest terms. that
the de facto. government. safeguard
the lives ana homes Of American citi-
zens and furnish the protection. which
International obligation imposes, to
American interests In the northern
States Of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon
Coahuila, Chihuahua. and Sonora and
also In the States to the south.
For example, on January 3. troops
were requested to punish the bands
OF outlaws which looted the Gust min
ing propert..', eighty miles west OF
chihuahua, but no effective results
came from this request During the
following week. the bandit Villa. with
his band OF about 200 men. was OPP
Grating without opposition between
Rubfo and Santa fsabei. fact we'll
known to Carranzista authorities.
SANTA YSABEL MASSACRE
RESULT OF ASSURANCES
Meanwhile, a party Of unfortunate
Americans started by train from Chi
huahua to visit the Cusi mines, after
having received assurances from the
Carranzista authorities in the State Of
chihuahua that the country was safe,
and that a guard on the train was not
necessary. The Ameri .ans held pass-
ports of safe conducts issued by au-
thorities Of the de facto government.
On January 10 the train was stopped
by Villa bandits and eighteen Of the
American party were stripped OF their
clothing and shot In cold blood, In
what -l&--nnM- knoWn--as the Santa
Ysabel massacre"
General Carranxa stated to the agent
OF the Department Of State that he
had issued orders for the immediate
pursuit. capture. and punishment Of
those responsible for this atrocious
crime, and appealed to his govern
ment and to the American people to
consider the difficulties of according
protection along the railroad whore
the massacre occurred = : : It IL trus
that Villa. Castro and Lopez were pub
lic1y declared to b outlaw and sub