Evening star., 1919-09-03
us. AWAITS FACTS
AS TO FLYER SHOT
Course Depends on Whether
Mexicans Fired on Own
Territory or Not.
OFFICIALS ARE AROUSED
OFFICIALS ARE AROUSED

LAREDO. Tex, September B.
Mexican federal soldiers made the
attack yesterday upon an American
Army airDIane Aired upon near here
while On border patrol duty, but
the machine was within Mexican
territory ut the time. according to
Mexican Consul Garcia Of Laredo.
The Aring was stunwsfranted." ;" the
consul said. and Was Asne in the
absence % the detaehrsents com-
Aander, and the case has been
reported to the superior autAori-
! ties for instructions IN regard to
punishMent Of those guilty.
The course OF the United States gov
ernment in regard to the shooting and
wounding of Capt. David B. McNabb
on aviation border patrol duty yester-
day, by an armed body Of Mexicans,
presumably. Carranza soldiers, is as
yet in doubt. Though thoroughly
aroused over the incident and private
ly expressing vigorous views in re-
gard to it, officials defer formal ac-
tion while awaiting definite news OF
the whereabouts Of Capt McNabb and
son. at the time the Mexicans fired
upon them.
In any case such action as will be
taken will be predicated entirely
upon old law, the new international
aviation laws drafted in their tenta.
tive form by an interallied commits
sion in Paris being not yet in effect
Should the American officers have
been over Mexican territory, a prac-
tice quite common along the border
according to State Department ad-
vices. the course Of this government
would not be as stringent as if the
!. men were on the American side OF
his companion were over United
States territory vigorous represen.
tations will be made to President
Carranza by the State Department
The State and War Departments are
in close touch with each other in
striving to clear up this important
point at the earliest possible moment
War Department Silent.
War Department officials are silent
as to their possible course. stating
that they are awaiting full advices
from Maj. Gen. Dickman. commander
taking any steps looking toward the
capitalization Of any policy.
The question of another punitive
expedition into Mexico with the hope
Of capturing or dispensing the armed
groups which fred upon the Ameri-
cans-i is a matter which has not been
decided This question much depends
upon whether the Mexfcans were Car
ranzistas or rebels. In case the Mexf-
cans were rebels there is inclination
on the part of American officials to
regard the incident as another OF
the uncomfortable depredations Of un-
organized and irresponsible parties
voicing their hatred and antagonism
toward America and Americans. In
were Carranzistas there will be no
minfmization of the stern demands
which will be made upon Carranza.
As to Intervening.
There is no indication in official cir
cles that the policy OF the government
Intervention only as a last resort" will
Immediately be changed, though there is
a note Of greater firmness in informal
discussions that take place in regard 20
what Mexico and CaxrAnza must or must
not do. 1t is believed the period Of
leniency, mitigation OF ofrenses against
lives and property in Mexico and tenn
porization is growing shorter with
continued outrages against American
people and property. However, it may
be stated on the best of authority
that the administration will continue
it's representations as long as events
Of more serious character do not ma
terialixe, forcing concerted national
American action to right conditions
within Mexico.