New-York tribune., 1920-02-12
Inquiry Bares
Border Battle
Censorship Hid
Captain Hermann Tells Fall
Committee of Repulse of
Cerman-Mexican Raid on
Nogales, August q, 1918
5U.S. Dead, 81 Wounded
Attackers Lost 129, Includ-
ing Two Teutons; Massa-
ere of Americans Averted
By Wilbur Forrest

Eli lASO. ttN. 4 Ecp Ill ne Amerl-
can Mexican battle of Nogales (Ariz.),
August 81. 1918, was fought for the
first time to-dgs, SO far as the Amcri-
can public is concerned, in the COM
mttee room of the Fall Senate in
vestigators here. Germans aided Mexi-
cans in the battle.
American newspapers under the
censor's orders briefly described this
battle as a small riot and paid little
attention to it. The Senate commit
tee developed to-day that it was a
riot" between armed and organized
military forces, in wAch five American
soldiers. including two officers, were
killed and thirty-one, including two
officers. wounded. On the Germano-
Mexican side 129 were killed, including
two Germans. All the Mexcans and
Germans were in civilian clothes, al
though regular Carranza uniformed
troops came TO reinforce them the fol-
lowing day.
Shots were fired from the windows
Of the house of General Alvaro Obre-
gon. now q candidate for the Mexican
Presidency. Obregon's home is in
Nogales, Sonora, virtually a part of
NogaA,s. AAz., across the imaginary
International line. The Mexican Mayor
Of Nos ales, Sonora. was killed with
rife in his hand. All Mexican women
ana ch ildren had been removed from
the Mexican part of the international
conynnnity before the Mexicans pro-
vok,x the fight Machine guns were
used on both sides.
Capta in Hermann Describes Fight
Capta in Frederick J. Hermann, with
twenty wears experience in the army,
who was at the time temporary lieu
tenant ef cavalry in command at
Sogales, was the witness before the
committees Captain Hermann, who has
since been denoted in accordance with
rank durin, war. directed the Ameri-
can forces i, the Nogales fight Though
painfully wo unded he continued in COM
mand until he enemy was thoroughly
subdued ca ptain Hermann told the
committee ho W he disposed his troops
and held them until the Mexicans furi-
ously fought from houses and alleys
along "Intern, sJional Avenue" which
separates the ts o towns. The Mexicans
had also entrene he'd on a hill command
ing the Americ IN side and were en-
sconced in warel louses, railroad build
ings and freight cars along the track,
which gave them a clear field of fire
into the United States forces lining
The American side.
II began to adv ance my line across
the international boundary then,' the
officer testified. ordering Captain
]. B. Hungerford to take the entrenchef
position on the hill and another troop
TO clear the houses and buildings,
driving all male Mex leans to the south
that didn't have to be shot. | gave
explicit orders not to hurt women and
children, but none of these was found.
After we had taken the first block
of houses Mexican in a window
wounded me in the right leg, but it was
some time before | felt it and went
back for medical attention. The troops
carried on the fight.
60 to He'll" His Answer
About 5:45 p. m. the Sheriff came
20 the Doctors office, where my wound
was being dressed. and delivered
message from the Mexican consul say
ing that If we would raise white
flag the Mexicans would cease firing
Il sent back word that he could 90
to hell; that American troops didn't
carry white flags and didn't use Their.
lnen the Mexicans raised white flag
over their custom house and we ceased
firing"
The witness related how despite his
wound he then went to the American
consulate and conferred with the
Mexican commander, who was accom-
Panied by several men in civilian
clothes. but whose military bearing
was distinctly apparent.
These men were Germans the wit
ness said. ''The Mexican commander
contended that no Carranzsta forces
had been engaged and that those in
action were simply irresponsible
Mexicans
The witness declared that he per
sonally saw machine gun firing from
the Mexican custom house and sent
the firing from Ohregon's house
Though wounded, he personally placed |
american troops along the American
line after dark and prepared to hold the !
town. During the night the Mexl- |
cans brought troop train opposite
the American line and Carranzista re-
lhtorcements detrained.
That did not bother us much," said /
Hermann, "bccausc we had just re-
ceived truckload of machine guns
from the nearest American fort, and
II did not make much difference how /.
many MeXicans there were. Hermann (
was relieved at B a. M by General /
ID. K. G. Cabpll commander of the 4
Nogales district. He has since been I
commended FOR his handling of the sit
uation he declared, by his immediate
Superior officer and the commander of /
the Southern district.
Captain Hermann was the commit.
tees only public witness. Others we're
heard IN executive session. Uermanns (
testimony developed that although he
undoubtedly prevented a massacre of
American citizens by prompt handling
Of his forces and though wounded he
remained in command throughout the
night, he has been completely ignored
by the War Department and even de-