Mexican Refugees Held.

New York Times 100 years ago today, April 29, 1913:
Kept on Our Soil for Safety — Crisis Near in Mexico City.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, April 28.— An embarrassing situation has arisen in regard to the disposal of the Mexican refugees held along the Mexican boundary by United States troops. There were originally 1,200 fed and held as prisoners. Two weeks ago the Secretary of War gave orders to release them gradually. Some were Federals and others Constitutionalists or revolutionists.
    The orders were to let them cross the boundary where their respective forces were in control. This worked well until 1,000 prisoners were released, when the Mexican Federal authorities objected to any considerable number of refugees crossing to where their friends were in strength, as the refugees would immediately be used as reinforcements. The United States authorities at once decided that to release refugees under such circumstances would be in violation of the neutrality laws, and Secretary Garrison promptly issued orders that no refugees should be allowed to cross the boundary where an engagement was imminent to protect them from summary execution if they belonged to the defeated side. They will, therefore, be held indefinitely until conditions permit their release.
    A serious situation in Mexico City, due to increasing friction between the Huerta and Diaz factions of the provisional Government, is reported in confidential advices. All Government forces in the Federal district have been divided into two armed camps. Huerta has added to the infantry at the National Palace, and Diaz has encamped much of the artillery on his estate. Hacienda del Cristo, about thirty miles away.

    EL PASO, Texas, April 28.— Former rebel troops under Gen. Jose, Inez Salazar mutinied to-day at Casas Grandes, refusing to proceed in the campaign against the Constitutionalists of Chihuahua State. Salazar and his staff officers are reported to be held prisoners by their men.
    If the mutineers should join the Constitutionalists, Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Parral will be the only points on the border State held by the Huerta Government. The adjoining frontier States of Coahuila and Sonora are already practically in control of the revolutionists.

    SAN DIEGO, Cal., April 28.— The assertion is made that American capitalists have pledged $25,000,000 for the purchase of Lower California from the Mexican Government. W. J. McGimpsey, a property owner at Punta Danda, across the bay from Ensenada, Lower California, says the deal will be consummated soon and annexation by the United States agitated immediately.