Americans To Hold Border.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 12, 1913:
Gen. Bliss Reports United States Troops Are Needed There.
    WASHINGTON, March 11.— No change in the disposition of United States troops on the Mexican border between El Paso, Texas, and Nogales, Mexico, is likely in view of a report to the War Department to-day from Brig Gen. Bliss that no patrol was nearer to the international boundary than was absolutely necessary.
    After the recent clashes near Douglas between Mexican soldiers and American troops Gen. Bliss was asked by Secretary Garrison to investigate the frontier situation with a view to moving the troops further back from the boundary to lessen the danger of border fighting. He reported to-day that the troops are performing difficult duty with great discretion, and that in the vicinity of Douglas no patrol or other detachment was under observation from the Mexican side.
    The War Department will accept Gen. Bliss's view, and he will continue his investigation along the entire American-Mexican frontier.
    Dispatches to the department indicate a serious situation at Piedras Negras, Mexico, where the forces under Gov. Carranza appear to be in full control. Gen. Aubert, with Federal cavalry, is reported near Monclavo. The railroad near Piedras Negras has been abandoned by the Central Government and Carranza is trying to operate the line by impressing discharged employes. Inhabitants of Piedras Negras fear the town will be destroyed. It is reported that Carranza intends to take part of his force to Cuatro Cienegas.
    Inquiry from the Mexican Foreign Office as to the acceptability to this Government of Emilio Rabasa as Mexican Ambassador to Washington to succeed Señor Calero, retired, has confronted the State Department with the question of formal recognition of the new Provisional Government of Mexico. Up to this time Ambassador Wilson has been treating with the Huerta Administration on a de facto basis. It now becomes necessary to decide whether formal recognition shall be extended, such as would be involved in the reception by President Wilson of the new Ambassador.
    Señor Rabasa is a lawyer 56 years old, who speaks English fluently. He is regarded in Mexico as an authority on international law.