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Show WARNING TO BE FOLLOWED BY OEADLTSHELLS President Wilson Makes Up His Mind to Put a Stop to Firing Across Line by j Maytorena's Troops BATTERIES NOW ON THEIR WAY TO NACO Action Is Purely Defensive, According to Washington View, Similar Means Employed at El Paso W "iSIHNOTOV Dr 9 If e con tending Vexicar forces opposl e Naco Arts, do not cease f ng n o American territory the three ba te es of f eld artillery ar-tillery sent to the IntAi-nat onal ne by President Wilson and Sec rtary Garrison will be ordered to return t e f re. This is the dterm nation of the Lnited States government, it became known tonight to-night after a full discussion by President Wilson with his cabinet yesterday Ito (Continued on Ps?s Four) IBIS MOST BE 'fEDED AT-ONCE (Continued from Page One.) ppecifio orders have bpn given as yet to Brigadier Genera! Tasker H. Bliss, who was directed to proceed to Naco with the field artillery, but whilft he is en route thpre officials expect an answer to the sharp warn hip which has been given tu General Maytorena, commanding the Villa troops, and General Hill of the Carranza forces, that hullcts and shells must noi fa 11 on Ajti eri ca n Roil. Similar warning has been co mm union ted to General Cav-ranza Cav-ranza and General Villa. No act of "aggression"' is contemplated, n s was explained in a statement issuer bv the Vk'him liouse today, but officials draw a distinction between aggressive and defensive action. For the eleven troops of cavalry and three batteries of fifld artillery to cross the Mexican line or open fire first would constitute an act of aggression, but to remain on American soil and return the fire of tbe Mexicans is. in the opinion of high officials, a measure meas-ure of defense fully justified under the circumstances and not an act of war or invasion. Scott Took Similar Action. Although it is not generally known, Brigadier Brig-adier General Hugh Scott, now chief of staff of the army, when in command at Kl Paso, Tex., a year .ago, placed his artillery in a position along the Ri-j Grande and delivered the same warning, which was heeded. It was explained at the war department depart-ment that the range of the artillery ordered or-dered to Naco is from five to six miles. Shells could be sent over trie Mexican town, without, injuring the residents, into the lines of the Mexican faction -which 'insisted 'in-sisted on firing into American territory. This is the plan of officials, should warn-nins warn-nins prove futile. The action of the Washington government govern-ment constitutes a precedent for the future fu-ture and was taken to mean that firing into American territory from any point along the border would be mot by similar Kteps. Many telegrams had come from Governor Hunt of Arizona and residents of Naco telling of the injuries and deaths resulting from stray bullets, and at yesterday's yes-terday's cabinet meeting, where the telegrams tele-grams were discussed, it was understood that the determination to put an end to such occurrences waa emphatically expressed. ex-pressed. Challenge to Maytorena. Pafael Zuba ran Capmany, Carranza agent here, issued a statement tonight charging the Maytorena forces a t Naco with responsibility for the firing across the border and challenging Governor Maytorena, on behalf of General Hill, the Carranza commander, to withdraw into the Interior of Mexico for a pitched battle. Dispatches telling of conditions in Mexico Mex-ico were summarized by the state department depart-ment tonight as follows: "Tho department is informed that on Sunday General Kduardo liny arrived In Pied ras Negras and addressed a hi rge audience at the theater on behalf of General Gen-eral Onrranza. It is reported that ou the same afternoon General Hay left for the United States. Qood order is said to prevail pre-vail throughout the Piedras Negraa district. dis-trict. "A dispatch from Mexico , City confirms con-firms the report that the permanent commission com-mission met on December 5 and decided to call a full meeting of the convention for January 1. At that meeting, it is stated, thirty accredited Zapata delegates will attend and participate in the proceedings. pro-ceedings. Cabinet Appointments. "The impression in Mexico City seems to be that the provisional president is endeavoring, in the matter of his appointments, appoint-ments, to give all elements common consideration. con-sideration. Dominguez Valdes Lano was on .December 5 appointed comptroller of the treasury, with Colonel Alberto Fuen-tes Fuen-tes as assistant. "The department Is advised that on December De-cember 7 a train burned at Cordoba, destroying twenty tons of cartridges. It is stated that all outbound passengers from Vera Cruz, whether they depart by land or sea, arn required to procure a passport from the military commander. General Carranza has issued a decree taking over alt telegraphic, telephonic and railroad communication in territory under .constitutionalist control." The Carranza, agency received the following fol-lowing advices: "A regiment of cavalry, under the command com-mand of Colonel Casta nos, belonging to the Arrieta brigade, has reoccupied the city of Durango. capital of the state of the same name and one of the most strategic stra-tegic points in Villa's territory. The city was garrisoned by Villi sta troops under the command of General Contreras. "The capture of this stronghold gives General Arrieta practically the complete control of the state of Durango. Report Confirmed. "The report of revolts of the garrison at Casas Grandes and Jlminez was con-iirmed con-iirmed this morning. Chihuahua Is now closely invested by our troops. "A large constitutionalist force Is now moving on Herniosillo and the Villlstas are expected to retire to Chihuahua, as the Yaciui country is now dominated by our forces under Ittirbe. "A new army corps has been organized In the state of Puebla and great enthusiasm enthusi-asm is prevalent there, the citizens being eager to take the offensive and drive Villa from Mexico City." |