Evening star., 1916-01-12


guerrilla warfare is in progress
and that 1T is to be deplored that
its advice was not followed.
Every step will be taken to
see that the perpetrators OF this
dastardly crime are apprehended
and punished"
Secretary's Statement.
Secretary Lansing's full statement
follows:
"In October. the department sent the
strongest kind of instructions to the
consuls in the states of Chihuahua and
Sonora, calling upon them to use every
means in their power to persuade
Americans to leave Immediately for
United States territory. and these con-
suls were instructed to employ special
riders to carry this message to Ameri-
cans located in isolated sections. A few
came out. Some, regardless of the dis
turbed conditions existing in Mexico,
did not heed the warning.
1T was only two or three weeks ago
that Villa detained thirty Americans in
nate Americans now reported killed
met their death. Great alarm was felt
for the safety of these thirty Ameri-
cans Recently the Villistas are said TO
have stated that they would Kill Amer
leans in Chihuahua territory in order
TO force American Intervention.
Hearst Employe Executed.
within the past week or ten days
three employees of the Hearst ranch, in
Chihuahua, near the place where
Americans are now reported slain,
were reported to have been executed.
Two of these three employees made
their appearance at FL Paso some days
ago. but the third appears to have
been killed.
The department feels that i, toook
every possible precaution to prevent
Americans from exposing their lives in
IA region where guerrilla warfare is in
progress 1t is 10 be deplored that its
advice was not followed
Every step viii be taken to see that
the perpetrators of this dastardly crime
are apprehended and punished
President Asks for Facts.
President Wilson was in communica :
ton early today with Secretaries Gar
tions to send to the White House all
facts as rapidly as they were received
Advices that at least fifteen Americans
were killed were received by Maj. Gen.
Scott, chief of stan of the army, and
also by the State Department.
At the White House it was declared
that while something undoubtedly
would be done. what steps the govern
ment will take have not been decided.
Bodies at Chihuahua City.
Official dispatches from Chihuahua.
Mexico. to the State Department today
say the bodies Of the fifteen Ameri-
cans shot by Villa bandits arrived at
that city last night.
Customs Collector Cobb at El Paso
today reported that his Investigations
seemed to establish that fifteen were
killed The State Department did not
diyuIge the sources OF Collector Cobb's
information.
Collector Cobb has been acting as a
special agent for the State Depart
ment in Mexican affairs and officials
here know that he has sources of in
formation in Mexico upon which thew
have heretofore been able to depend.
All o.t,e- State Department agents ou
the border wCte today instructed to
pathe- all aysi able Information on the
executions ana forward it - Washing
ton.
Unconcealed Anxiety.
At the white House ana at the State
Department there was unconcealed
anxiety over the situation and concern
that the latest outbreak IN Mexico
might be made the vehicle for further
attacks by the opposition IN Congress
upon the administrations foreign
policy and its recognition of Gen. car
rama.
EIiseo Arredondo, Gen. Carranza' Is
amba ssador here. received confirma ton
from Carranza sources of the sxecu-
ton of the Americans and has asked
for further details. His advices are
the first confirmation from Mexican
sources.