Evening star., 1918-08-28
Regretted by Mexican Ofacials

Regretted by Mexican oRcials.
Profound regrets for yesterdays
clash between Mexicans and Ameri-
can soldiers were expressed by Gen.
Elias Gales, military governor of
Sonora, to Brig. Gen. de Rosey Cabell
in a telegram received from Gen.
Gales at Magdalena, Sonora, today.
Gen. Gales stated he had been or
dered to proceed to the border by
President Carranza to express these
regrets personally. He is scheduled
to arrive here today.
Reports that Gales cavalry troops
crossed the international boundary
during the shooting yesterday were
officially confirmed here today. A
detachment of the cavalry crossed
International avenue at 5 p. m. and
rode one block into Nogales, Sonora.
to clear the adobe houses of snipers.
Progressive Arizona Town.
Ngales, Ariz.. is a progressive Ari-
Zona border town with modern houses.
two and three story business buildings
on International avenue and residence
streets lined with palm and umbrella
trees. Nogales, Sonora, the Mexican
town, is a typical Mexican border town
with square adobe houses resembling
cubes of native brown sugar.
/. Noeales, Sonora, has been the scene
of a number of border battles. The
Diaz federal troops were defeated and
forced to cross the border and sur
render to American troops.
A clash between American troops
and Mexican rebels also occurred
there during the -Carranza
fighting. The Carranza troops were
fired upon by mistake when 1t was
tempting to raid the American side Of
the border.
The beautiful residence of Ignacio
Bonillas, ambassador to Washington,
is located within sight of the inter-
national line, Nogales being his home.
Regards Situation as Serious.
Up to II o'clock today the War De-
partment had not communicated to
the State Department an account OF
the conflict between United States
troops and Mexicans at Nogales last
night. which was interpreted to mean
that the incident has not reached the
tion enlisting the participation of
the diplomatic branch of the govern
ment.
That the military situation is
serious, however. was inferred from
the statement made by Gen. March,
chief of staff. in his conference with
the newspaper men shortly before
noon, in announcing that reinforce
ments had been sent to the ofncer In
command at Nogales. He also said II
was reported that the Mexicans were
bringing up additional troops.
BY an agreement last night between
Col Herman. in command OF the
American detachment at Nogales, ana
the Mexican commander the soldiers
had been drawn back from the boun-
dairy line on both sides. Despite this,
sniping had been practiced by civil
Iians on the Mexican side at intervals
during the night.
Gen. Holbrook in Charge.
Gen. March said that Maj. Gen.
William A. Holbrook, in command at
Fort Sam Houston, was in supreme
charge of the situation. The signif1-
cant announcement was added that
the War Department had given him
full Instructions how to act in any
circumstances that may arise.
An official dispatch from Gen. Hol-
brook notified the War Department
that the desultory firing between civil
lians in Nogales. which had continued
agreement with the Mexican COM
mander all troops on both sides were
being withdrawn. Additional Mexican
troops were noted, however, approach
ing Nogales.
The official report confirmed the
PRESS uiSQdlCHeS dS 10 Tic QetdllS OF
the fight. The firing started when q
customs guard attempted to halt a
Mexican who was crossing to the
American side. A man on the Mexican
side fired, wounding a sentry and
general firing from the Mexican side
followed Immediately.
Reports Intense Firing.
Companies G and H Of the 35th In
fantry returned the fire, occupying
positions as skirmishers behind the
international boundary. The firing
became more intense. the report said,
as fresh troops came up.
One squad of American infantry
suffered four casualties before its
ammunition gave out. Col. Herman
was wounded in the right knee. but
not seriously. Corp. Barney Locks
and Private Paul Deppoe were killed,
as was another private whose name
was not given. ~