"Hands Off" To Our Army.

New York Times 100 years ago today, March 14, 1913:
Secretary Garrison Orders American Troops to Shun Mexican Battles.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, March 13.— The application of the Wilson Administration's policy of non-intervention in Mexico was illustrated in an order which went from the War Department to-day to Tasker H. Bliss, commanding the Department of the South. Gen. Bliss's command embraces the danger points where the revolutionists and regulars are fighting on the Mexican side of the border. Secretary Garrison directed Gen. Bliss to order all commanders of troops employed on patrol duty to notify the Mexican commanders, both regulars and revolutionists, to see that they arranged their troops so that the line of fire should not menace persons on the soil of the United States.
    The commanders of United States troops also were directed to keep their troops away from the vicinity of engagements between contending forces on Mexican soil, unless it was necessary for them to protect the lives or property of Americans, and under no circumstances to fire themselves, except for the purpose of protecting life or property. Secretary Garrison explained that the desire was to prevent the accident of a clash between our troops and either of the contending Mexican parties.