Newspaper Page Text
ASSOCIATED PRESS Leased Wire WBAT&BR FORECAST. Fair Tonight and Tuesday; Colder Tuesday. ( EL jEjr-.J ALD EL PASO, TEXAS, Monday Evening February 17, 191312 Pages HOT FIGHTING CONTINUES N THE CAPITAL OF MEX MADERO APPEALS TO HIM NOT TO INTERVENE; SAYS HE CAN SOON CONTROL $. - 9 LUL I.U llU BBS is, 1 I B 1.1 3 2 Jl I I I.S11U Taft Says U. S. Is Becoming Extremely Pessimistic Over Conditions in Mexico, Replying to Appeal From Madero Not to Intervene, but to Give Government Chance to Whip Rebels and Restore Peace. WASHINGTON. D. C Feb. 17. President Taft s reply to Ma dera's appeal to withhold American intervention in Mexico, sent by telegraph, -was made paMie by secre tary Knox today as follows: "From yonr excellency's telegram -which reached me the 14th, it appeared that your excellency was somewhat mis informed as to the policy of the United States towards Mexico, which has been uniform for two years, or as to the naval measures thus far taken, which are measures of natural precaution. The American ambassador telegraphs that vhen you 'were good enough to show liim your telegram to me, he pointed out tins fact. -You must be aware that reports that appear to have reached you that orders have already been given to send forces. are inaccurate. Fresh assurances of friendship to Mexico are unnecessary after two years of proof of patience and jjood wHl. "In view of the special friendship and relations between the two countries, I cannot too strongly impress upon yonr excellency the vital importance of early establishment of that peace and order -which this government has long hoped to see. both because American citizens and their property must be protected and respected, and also because this na tion sympathises deeply with the afflic tions of the Mexican people. "In reciprocating the anxiety shown I in your message, I feel id my duty to J add, and, without reserve, that the course 1 r x- j : a.. . X n 1 u eveuu UBfiOK fce fntev twu jreajra, cul minating - in the most disastrous situa tion in your capital, creates in this coun try extreme pessimism. "Wb, H. Taft" Madera's Message te Taft. President Madqtafc Magnate to pre&i- dent Taft Saturday asking the American government not to intervene was as fol- lowfi "I have been informed that the gov- j eminent over which your excellency pre- , sides has ordered to set out for ports of , Mexico war vessels with troops to dis embark and come to this capital to give guarantees of safety to Americans. Says Information Inexact "Undoubtedly the information which you have and which led you to take this action is inexact and exaggerated, for the lives of Americans in this capital are at present in bo daatrer if they will abandon the zone of fire and concentrate in certain points of the city or its sub urbs where tranquility is absolute and where the government can. give all classes guarantees. "Dangers Can Be Obviated." "If you order American residents here to do that, .following the precedent es tablished by your own orders previously issued, danger te the lives of Americana and other foreigners will be obviated. "Regarding what material damages may be suffered -v foreigners, this government is ready to accept all responsibility, according to the obliga tions of international law. Would Cause Conflagration. "Consequently, I ask your excellency to order your menofwar not to disem bark troops in Mexico, as this act will cause a conflagration and terrible con sequences of more extent than the ones we nave to contend with at present. Taking Necessary Measures. "I assure your excellency that this government is taking all measures neces sary' in order that the rebels in tiie arse nal will do the least harm possible to lives and property in the capital and 1 have hopes that everything will be peacefully arranged in a very short time. Troops Would Increase Danger. "It is true that my country at -this time is passing through a terrible crisis. The disembarkation of American troops worfd only increase the dangerous situa tion and tfould do a great harm to a nation which has always been a loyal friend to the United States, as well as Tjgnfcrjhrt to the . dangers, sunaaafa; -AST establishing of uktrough -democratic goTeranxnit similar to fiat of the great Arerkn nation. Appeals to "Just Sentiments." "I appealyte the equitabis, just sentT ments that have been the criterion of your government; and that undoubtedly represents be sentiments of the great American people whose ' destinies you have guided with so much skill and 'patriotism." Mexico City Mex., Feb 17. Fighting throughout the morning was very heavy. The big calibe guns in the arsenal were almost constantly in use. The federal artillery brought another big siege gun into action, but did not succeed in silencing the rebel fire. ' The fighting was resumed Sunday night, following a truce over part of Sunday, to enable the foreigners to be removed. The engagement was very severe almost till noon, but the firing then dwindled and developed into an exchange of volleys of rifle bullets. The rebels tried to pick off the federal artillerymen as they were serving the guns. Brisk fighting continued this afternoon. There are indications, however, of de velopments of a character that may relieve the situation to a measurable degree. It is not possibleto transmit details on account of the close censorship. The firing today equaled in severity the heaviest fighting of last week. VIOLATION OF THE ARMISTICE. Mutual charges of violation of the armistice in Mexico City led to its termina tion at 7 oclock last night and the renewal of fighting. The Madero government has planted dynamite near the citadel and moved can non during the armistice. Many American residents, with their nerves shaken by the almost constant firing of shrapnel during the last week, departed yesterday and today in the direction of Vera Cruz. The danger rone was practically deserted today by soldiers. FOREIGN LEGATIONS SUFFER. The American embassy water supply was cut off yesterday. Diaz has ample supplies, but the government is short. The German legation has been partially destroyed. Desertion from the government side to tfie rebels is going on. The United States embassy and the district surrounding it, in which there are many American residents, was not touched by any projectiles after the removal of the federal battery, which had heretofore drawn the fire of the rebel gunners at the arsenal. . .1.1 II.. ,-.- I I I .... II . I I ! " !- . - - ' I I .1 I 1 MORE MARINES AND TROOPS UNDER OR HURRY ORDERS ARE ISSUED TO MARINES AND TROOPS OF ffHE ARMY Over Two Thousand Marines at Veracruz on Board War ships, Ready to Land at a Moment's Notice All News Is Censored and Very Little Is Coming Even From the American Ambassador. TiroonDrc": !lS I MULL H S ROSS SAYS GAMBLERS SAYS FAIR TRIAL IMPOSSIBLE AND POLICE LEAGUED ILBGING that "the rebels and J. E. Rheio and ""H. O. Wilson, in an their sympathizers, the numerous " gamblers in the citj and their sympathizers, and the ocfice force and its sympathizers" have entered into a combination that is dangerous to him, I.E. Ross, indicted on a charge of rob ber by assault, -with the use of fire irms, when arraigned for trial in the "4th district court Monday morning filed an application for a change of venue J toss, in his application, alleges that because of these alleged facts, it would be impossible for him to secure a fair and impartial jury. The application comes as one of the first sensations vomised in the trial of Ross, and his lodefendants, V. L. Snyder, and C. P. Pitman, who are indicted jointly with him on complaints growing out of the holdup at the Hotel McCoy on the nisht of Jan. 13. To strengthen his request for a change of venue. Ross set out in his application that while as special agent for the United States government, em plo ed in ferreting out crimes com mitted b the citizens of El Paso, he had been responsible for acquiring in formation that resulted in the finding of indictments against influential cit izens Ey that, he alleged that he had incurred their ill will and hatred. Av a detective for the Western Detect affidavit attached to the application, stated that the facts set out in the docu men are true, and that they know of such a prejudice against Ross. In view of these facts and the dangerous com bination which they alleged existed againeX the delendant, they state that they do not believe that he can secure a fair and impartial trial. P.heln and "Wilson, were summoned to testify to the facts they swore to in the affidavit. In addition to asking ror a change of venue, Ross, who stands indicted Jointly with Snyder and Pitman, made an application for a severance. The ar gument on this motion came up for a hearing at 11:20 o'clock Monday morn ing It was argued that a severance in this instance would operate as a continuance in the case of Snyder and Pitman. Judge Dan M. Jackson with held his decision until 2 o'clock Mon day afternoon. The application for the venue will be brought up later. Motion for a severance was overruled by Judge Jackson Monday afternoon. Ross was brought intc the courtroom at 9 .'lock Monday morning by deputy sheriff Jere Dubose. He appeared cheerful and shook hands with several. Later Mrs. Ross, accompanied by Mrs. .T' . Rhein. arrived. Mrs. Ross went directly up to Ross, and Ross shook I hands with her. Mrs. Ross, like her ie agencj, Ross alleged that he earned j husband, appeared to be in a cheerful on the same work, and persons whose names he stated he thought he naa h tter withhold at this time, stand j-iuicted on the information he fur nished m the federal court, on charges of smuggling and conspiring to smug gle ammunition into Mexico. B reason or his investigations in tases where persons had violated i law M unlawfully running gambl-n-r houses, pool halls and places of i e. Ross further alleged that he had iniurred the enmity of all engaged in suih and further that he had incurred th" hatred and malice of the police i' partment. That there is an al led connection existing between the ponce department, the, city administra- von. and those guilty of violation of the gaming jaws, is charged in the application Ross also alleged in hi3 '-plication, that he had reason to be lief that the police officers and the gamblers have a secret understanding with one another and among them-sches. mood. DAILY RIDDLES 1. Question What letters of the alphabet came too late for supper? 2 Q. What is. that which, sup posing its greatest breadth to be four inches, length nine inches, and depth three inches, yet contains a solid foot? 3. Q. What is that which has many leaves' and no stem? 4. Q Why is the letter F like an incendiary? 5. Q How much dirt can be taken from a hole one foot deep, one foot in length and two feet In breadth? Answers will be found under their appropriate numbers scattered through the Classified Advertising pages. Mining Counties Want to Re t tain Land While Agricul turists Want to Sell It. MARICOPA COUNTY MAY BE DIVIDED PHOENIX. ARIZ, Feb. 17. As this session of the legislature prog resses it becomes more and more evident that, outside the taxation measures, land legislation is going to give the most trouble and concern. All the members of the legislature ad mit that the disposition of the state's lands is a matter of vital importance, and there are sharp divisions ove how it shall be accomplished, v Generally speaking, the legislators from the raining counties are in favor of holding indefinitely all the lands owned by the state. They declare that they are for conservation of the state's land resources and contend that the proper way to conserve is not to sell an acre. Fanners Urge Sale of Lands. The solons rrom the agricultural counties want to sell part of the land as soon as possible to raise money to i carry on the state government. They i (aim mat tne way to conserve is not to let it lie idle but to lease or sell it to farmers, who will make it pro ductive. Four bills affecting the state's lands have been introduced. Probably the most important is the senate bill in troduced by Roberts, of Cochise. It de fines the duties of the atate land com mission and provides for the leasing of lands, not for their sale. "Sell off part of the land now and save the rest of it." argue opponents or the measure. "The state needs money now as badly as it will need 'i me iuture. aim hv nth. -t it REBEL LEADER PORRAS EXECUTED BY FEDERALS Juan If. ("Kid") Porras, a rebel chief, and 20 of his followers, were executed Saturday at Hormigas ranch on the line of the Orient railway near Chihuahua city. Federal troops also captured 47 others of the Porras, group, who ere taken to the state capital today Porras was a member of Gen. Pascual Orozco's original staff, bat recently has been operating independently. To him have been accredited many outrages, including the cremation in a burning station house of three Mexican Central rail way employes at Gallegi last week. It is said that Porras was executed on orders of Gen. Antonio Rabago, and that it met the approval of the rebel general, Marcello Caraveo, who has made a truce with the federals at Chihuahua city. possible to obtain title to some of our richest agricultural land we will en courage immigration." t Sef to Consere School Land. .- u . "oh, representative Gra ham has introduced a bill to submit to ie.J?Sople.? constitutional amendment 3 "If thaJ n8 ool land shall be wii -i" ,s "M,e chance that the bill will be passed. senator Worsley has introduced a ESS?? the nt or itooo t tht Ti.!1 ,n M"copa couu iJ now f np? noal school. It will fi.i? Jff1-" committee and . ,.Ught Wttrty by the Mari- t. "SBisuwors. Satu.ve'LI'aBd n,U Opposed. r 5Z th senate had something making LSior beaJ MU ?HlJt,IM?te"e ' state lands to AX ANTONIO, lex, Feb. 17. The Third cavalry at Fort Sam Houston was today ordered from Washington to hold itself in readiness to entrain for Galveston, prepared for foreign service. Orders te the Third cavalry today are part of the general plan of the army general staff to have troops in readiness for immediate movement The Third cavalry is a portion of the newly orginazed First cavalry brigade at Fort Sara Houston. The Second and Fourteenth cavalry also are attached te this brigade. The entire regiment of the Second is at Fort Bliss, Tex, and the Fourteenth is distributed between Forts Clark and Mcintosh, Tex, and Haifa, Tex., doing border patrol duty. MOBILIZING THE MARINES. Philadelphia, Pa, Feb. 17. It was reported at the Philadelphia navy yard this afternoon that orders had been issued for the mobilization of 2000 marines to be drawn from the several naval stations on the Atlantic coast. Reticence pre vails at the yard and official confirmation could not be had. There are 690 marines at the Philadelphia station and it is said 2000 could be assembled there within four days. Officers said this afternoon that the yard has been ready for days for instant actios. MORE MARINES MOVE. Norfolk. Va Feb. 17. Sixty marines under Lieut Case have been ordered to leave here tonight for Philadelphia to join other marine forces being mobilized there from stations on the Atlantic coast MARINES FR00M BROOKLYN. Nw York, N. Y, Feb. 17. In response to orders issued for the mobilization at Philadlphia, the Brooklyn navy yard will send 324 mariaes to that city en the first train tomorrow morning. They will be in command of Lieut CoL J. A. Le jeune. BOSTON MARINES GET ORDERS. Boston, Mass, Feb. 17. Capt DeWitt Coffman, commandant of the Charles town naw vard. received orders at 3:15 oclock this afternoon to send all the marines at the yard to Philadelphia immediately. The available marines number 150 and they will leave at 5:30 this afternoon. FOR CONCENTRATION PURPOSES. Washington, D. C, Feb. 17. The purpose of the mbiliatioB of the marines at Philadelphia which began today is to concentrate 2000 of these troops at Guantanamo. The transport is to sail with 1200 as soon as she can be leaded; the other 800 are to sail on the naval transport Prairie. ' Marines from the Washington barracks are to join those from Norfolk, Phila delphia, New York and Boston. y MA TAMORASANDNUEVO LAREDO HA VE REBELLED BROWNSVILLE, Tex., Feb. 17. Without serious xesiataBce, Matameras, the Mexican towns across the border, passed into the hands of Mexican rebels at - o ociock uns morning. . . This is the second border town to be occupied by the rebels since the Diaz ; revolt, the other being Nuevo Laredo, where CoL Pascual Urosce, sr, is &am . . in control now. The federal troops turned over to Diaz, and CoL Orozco is said to have marched in with a few rebel followers and to have' been received as tn leader and commander of the new rebel garrison. The international bridge was opened and the Americans who were caught on the other side when Matameras was taken are being allowed to return to Brownsville. Officers under the Madero government who were arrested upon taking oath of allegiance to Diaz, were released and were in most eases given their old posi tions. . . . .. It is ramored that the soldiers at Rio Bravo and Reywsa, Mexico, have jotaea the Diaz movement ' S? SrSi s fi-M.WSSSi.E educational ii.,7i r.'"."B,y scientific or uuniflaaa a the bill nrovMr- proy,S10? l nJS, r any otlr purpose. ;ii-manaBcrs WiU not Prmit it to De V2E tl 8t,ru5turf" on rented groun.l Before the laboratory is enlarged titlo to toe ground must be given The public lands eom-inttee prfent '1 two reports on the Hughes bill Tai majoriu report. signed b Da i Pace. Worsle, and Brown i, thit the bill should pass Kobert II r rison and W' ssel signed a minority r -port, arguing that no at t ion lv n.l -e taken on the measure till the state's land policy was definitely settled. By a bare vote of two-thirds the measure was placed On the calendar for the committee of the whole. "Want to Divide Maricopn Conntr. Orange county has been heard from House bill No. 33, the purpose of which is to dnide Maricopa county into two parts ard call one of them Orange with Me&a as its capital, was introduced in the house Saturda h representative Jones Orange t-ounty is to include all of Maricopa county south of the Gila and Salt rivers It is also to include Scotts oale. the Mazatzal mountains and much other terntor east of Phoenix. The uiu iiiurs tnat a line running straight north from a point on Salt ner four miles southeast of Phoenix shall be Mam opa s new eastern boun- Jar Methods of establishing the new county, of transferring necessary rec- j o:ds from the Maricopa county court house, and of dn,.hp the indebtedness, I are laid down in the hill I Coconino Game Preserve. j f-p'aker Lnmj, 1 requ. t, n.iro-J duced a bill creating .P0,"""0 statTame preserve" out of a portion of NaTjJT and Coconino counties, in ?J -iJArfS. k.... nhevellon creek and is Ji .-. in This preserve peoaurfor"th7herf of elk imported from Wyoming. The bill will pass w ltuout opposition. . Dill No. 34 was Introauoetl by the committee on state institutions. I pies the adjutant general authority To use monev out of the military fund to build an armory in anycity or town where the people gusrantee half the lost of the structure. To Transfer Funds. The committee on state accounting and methods of business reported fa ir -,hi, , hill to permit the state running i tieasufer to transfer $1400 temporarily from the general rami xo tne iimei ti ane ta fund This bill was later tako,, up in . ommittee of the whole and la-ed on I ivorably , . ,, , A W he i I-v in li's medical bill was intro duced the'second time it was referred to the committee on judiciary. That mmitire n i ommended that the meas uit h -int to the committee on pub- t Led. on l'age Five ) WASHINGTON, D. C, Feb. 17. Resolutions asking president Taft to trans mit te congress ssch facts regarding coaditioee in Mexico City as may not be incompatible with the public interest, were introduced today by senator Ashurst, of Arizona, and lepreseatatiye Ayxes, of New York. Fighting has resumed in Mexico City between the Madero and Dia forces behind the veil of a rigorous censorship which cuts off news dispatches and limits official news. President Taft has replied to Madero's plea for non-intervention, saying bo or ders for landing American troops have bees given; pointing oat "the vital impor tance of 'the early establishment of peace and order," and that "the present para mount duty is the prompt relief of the situation." Consuls throughout Mexico report the populace quiet, awaiting news of a de cisive action in Mexico City. Rear admiral Southerland, aboard the cruiser Colorado, has moved from Mazatlan to Manzanillo, where an anti-American desoastration was reported. President Madero sent personal messages to Washington saying he "expected a definite result soon." The United States menofwar Vermont and Nebraska, were due at Veracruz. Preparations for moving the first army brigade aad the marines rested. INTERVENTION MAY BE FORCED. Anxiety is felt among congressmen because of activity of British influences at the Mexican capitaL While, up to a certain point, the ceoperatis of other nations in efforts to restore peace in Mexico are welcomed, on the ether hand these efforts can reach where foreign governments will demand that the United States accept the consequences of the Monroe doctrine aad send troops te the Mexican capital or let the foreign governments do it This would force iaterveatiea. WASHINGTON IS ANXIOUS. With bo direct news dispatches from Mexico City aad only one dispatch from ambassador Wilson, which said fighting had been resumed aad that the armistice had been broken, president Taft and other officials waited in anxiety. Oaly one dispatch from ambassador Wilson came over night It was brief and confirmed last night's sews dispatch, saying fighting had resumed. Madero telegraphed close friends in Washington today that he expected defi nite results very soon. These dispatches? came through promptly. The Mexican embassy declared that bo dispatches whatever had beea received there, aad that X was depeadiag oa outside dispatches for news of fighting. FOREIGNERS REMOVED. SBday the ves a txacejor atime, daring which the dtfJfersafc iwsiga am a4fLMMLmSs!:Ms2 fiaun. fh fiaiK- .. jfe. ? iraCraz aWaelsewSrrp' 3FfT7Tri Huomai i. .- ITTL -? aad can take boats lea-nag for the United States. T3m fightfag was resumed San- (lay aXiQlTBVvIL ' AFTER MERCHANT SHIPS. The pJan to send aa expeditionary force from Galveston has beea confronted with some difficulties in securing merchant ships. . It may be decided te send some of the transports at Newport News aroHBd to Galveston. ANTI-AMERICAN DEMONSTRATION. Rear admiral 'SaBrfcerland fommjndar of tw n(L. nni t.' v xt lt. , -- "- -. j.x. iron, b smc won me cruiser Colorado from Masatkn to Manzanillo, in response ta a request of the United States consul there, who reported an anti-Americaa demoBstratkw. The big ship saOed last sight and should have arrived there early today ARMY AND NAVY READY. Maj. Gea. Wood issued a statement last sight that the waste army is ready The bureau of operations for the navy department aaaoaaces that it has a fighting force of 4000 men ready to land at a minute's aotke upon the east coast of Mexico. Of these 3000 bluejackets aad marines are statwaed off Voracraz aad 1000 more at Tampico. PREPARING TO SEND 'MORE TROOPS. Renewed activity in preparations for a possible troop aovemeat to Mexico wic indicated today ia hurried orders to the array transport Meade at Newport News to sail te the Philadelphia navy yard. Expeditioas of marines -nasally ar assembled here. The seadisg of the Meade to' Philadelphia leaves the transports McClelland and Sumner provisioned aad ready for the transportation of the first brigade of the first army corps. ) PLENTY OF LANDING MEN AT VERACKTtJZ. The dreadnoughts Vermont aad Nebraska, with rear admiral Fletcher aboard the Vermont, pat in at Veracruz today at 8 a. m, briagiag the total aamber of United States warships there up to three, aad the force of jackies, officers and mariaes available for landing up te 2100. SENATE COMMITTEE OPPOSES INTERVENTION. That the senate foreign relations committee is agaiast rntervestiea ia Mexico is made plain by a poll of that body today. This shews senators Cullem, Root, Borah, Lodge, McCumber, Burton, Dilhagham, Bacoa, Hitchcock aad Stoae agaiast intervention. Senators Smith of Michigan, Southerland, Clarke of Arkansas, aad 0'Gormaa would aot commit themselves. This sentiment in the committee is predicated oa the situation getting bo worse. So loag as there is bo organised attack oa Americans aad foreign residents in Mexico, the committee will oppose extreme measures. Should there be a. serious massacre of American or foreign residents, the seatimeat ia the committee would change speedily., John Hays Hammond, iaterested ia investments ia Mexico, representing more than $20,000,000, dees aot think the time yet has cobm lac iaterveBtioB. I have Bet as yet seea the necessity of intervention,'' he said today. Myt friends aad. I recognize oaly the government de facte." ' MR. TAFT'S POSITION. Intervention today sifted dowa te two coatiageacies, devetapmeat of which would change president Taft's determination te keep "hands off. If communica tion is cut off from Mexico City aad if Americaas lose their Eves through a delib erate attack by either rebels or federals, then the United States wOl step in. Otherwise there is every disposition today oa the part of the admiaistratioa to let the situation work itseif out. a the amy or aavy departments everythiag possible has beea dose. A "flash" order will be sufficient to start the movement of troops. CONGRESSMAN SAYS "GET OUT." Denouncing sentiment ia favor of Americas intervention ia Mexico, representa tive Prince, of IfHaois, said ia the house today, "Oar place is at hoa, &vr our own busiaess." "Oar country, ia my judgment," he said, "is goiag eat into the world as a tag policeman. Oar place is at home, aotwithstaadiBg the rambles dowa there ia Mexico. We had our election here ia this ceaatry aad it was by ballots, and we announced the result on the floor of this house, aad the conatry acquiesced in it. Their method seems to be by bullets and if our bystanders are ia the way when they are electing their men dowa there ia those fereint coantnes, let taem get 2y "? fv " Amerieaa Mood aad American bone and Ameri can maahood sent there, for the benefit ef American exporters, to destwy their lives, as seems to be in the air." REMOVING THE FOREIGNERS. Ambassador Wilson telegraphed to the state departmeat at 11 a. m, February 16, that the armistice that had been arranged the previous night was stfli in force and that there was great activity la removing foreigners from the imager sone and arranging for the traasportatioE of many women aad children to the Uaited States. Reports iadkated that losses on the Diaz side had aot beea great and the rebel liaes bad beea exteaded in one direction beyond the palace to the ministry of gebenacioa, which they had taken, aad m the other direction as far as the German - Cueraavaca is reported taken by the Zapatistas. Th president of the National railway has reported to the AnKican ambassador that the road aorth of Monterey is ia the hands of the rebels. SITUATION REPORTED SERIOUS. Consuls at Durango, Fronteras, Juarez, Nogales, Hermosillo and Saltillo Teport those places quiet. From Juarez the report is that there is no change ia the sitna- i ont'nj. I un page 4.)