The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1932-04-02
Bandits Cross The
Border To Murder
CONTINUED From Page ~

into the wild country of Northern
Mexico before posses can night
them.
Mexican authorities claim they
cannot patrol the Forrays because
the crimes all take place in the
United States. United States au-
thorities are blocked In their chase
of the bandits because Of the Dor
der, and International law which
prevents American forces from fol-
lowing their quarry into Mexico.
Last nights raid was the most
serious since the Columbus massa-
ere.
Just 25 miles southeast of the
little ranch, lies Fort Bliss, at FL
Paso, where $500 American SOL
diers, under command of Brigadier
General Walter c. Short, are sta
toned.
General Short, at the time of
Ravers plea for aid, declared the
entire $500 troops, IL need be-.
could be moved to Columbus terri
tory on three hours notice.
Short Is empowered to move his
troops to any point along the bor-
der where danger threatens at any
time, upon his own discretion.
He said then that he was study
ing the bandit situation. 1t could
not be Immediately determined II
last nights raid would lead to a
movement Of the United States
troops.
The elder Espinosa, sobbing over
the tragedy which had virtually
wiped out his family. Said the three
bandits were Mexicans.
II never saw them before" he
told officers. They were Mexicans
and they told me at first they were
New Mexico officials and wanted to
see about the herd I had sold, so
let them in"
Protest May Be Filed
Washington, April 2-(U. P.) -
American Consular ofncials at Ju-
arez, Mexico, probably. will file an
immediate protest with Mexican
authorities over the massacre oil
six American residents at Berino
/ N. NJ. by bandits from across the
border.
The consulate at Juarez is the
nearest one to the, scene of the
massacre. American off1cials there
would be expected to appeal to the
Mexican authorities on their OWE
initiative.
The first action Of United States
authorities would Of course be to
esta blish definitely that the bandits
crossed into this country from
Mexico. Then they undoubtedly
would request that Mexican author
tiles do everything possible to hunt
down and punish the killers.
Should such demands go unheed-
ed, the state department might APP
peal directly to the central govern
ment at Mexico City.
Regarding the possibility Of call.
ing out troops to protect border res
idents, 1t was pointed out that mil
itary authorities there have wide
power to take such action on this
side of the border as they deem
necessary. In this respect, they
have much more latitude than
commanders Of other army posts
within the United States.
In most instances, federal troops
may be used only on direct order
Of the war department after re-
quests for such action have been
made by state authorities. The bor-
der forces are maintained there for
the express purpose OF protecting
the frontier and might be deployed
along the border to protect Amer
leans from Mexican raiders.
Another Victim Dies
Ell Paso, Tex, April gu. Pr
Vincente Espinosa, IS, died in a
hospital here to-day from bullet
wounds inflicted during the mas
sacre of his family by Mexican
bandits.
His death brought the toll in the
massacre to seven dead.
Melquiadez Espinosa, his father
was wounded by the bandits.