New York Times 100 years ago today, August 1, 1913:
Washington's Demand for Release of Americans Was Strong.
Special to The New York Times.
    EL PASO, Texas, July 31.— A translation of the code message sent to Marlon Letcher, American Consul in Chihuahua, by the State Department in Washington in regard to the release of Charles Biesel, Roland MacDonald, and Ray Harrell, who were held by Mexican authorities, was given out to-day. The message was sent through Thomas D. Edwards, United States Consul in Juarez, last Tuesday. It was forwarded not only by telegraph but also in the hands of Edwin C. Bryan, a special courier in the Consular service. The terms were imperative in regard to the liberation of Biesel and Harrell, Americans, and MacDonald, a British subject, who had been seized by Provisional President Huerta's troops on the pretext that they had aided the revolutionists.
    Consul Letcher was instructed by the Department of State to make an uncompromising demand on Gen. Francisco Marcado, Governor of the Mexican State of Chihuahua, for the immediate release of the three prisoners. He was directed to inform the Mexican Governor that the question of recognition of the Huerta Administration by the United States Government had nothing to do with the demand, as it was made in the name of international law and of humanity.
    The State Department told Mr. Letcher to warn Gen. Marcado that should the demand be refused the United States would hold the Governor and all other persons connected with the case responsible under the law of international usage for any harm which might happen to the Americans or to the Englishman arrested with them.
    Consul Letcher presented the demand to Gen. Marcado immediately on its receipt from this city. He lost no time in ordering the release of Biesel, MacDonald, and Harrell. The three men are on their way to the border, having been delayed by the interruptions in train service between Chihuahua and this point.
    Haciendas, estates and mining properties valued at $100,000,000 are to be confiscated by the Sonora State Government from the so-called Cientifico faction, which is supporting the Huerta Government as opposed to the Constitutionalist party. That order was formulated in the office of Acting Gov. Pesquiera in Hermosillo. Agents of the State Government have been sent to seize the great estates of such famous men in Northern Mexico as Gen. Luis Torres and Ramon Corral.
    Six Americans have been arrested and jailed In Juarez in the last twenty-four hours for crossing the river and attempting to examine the fortifications along the river bank. Three Mexicans living in the United States were put to death this afternoon for attempting to start a mutiny among Mexican Federal soldiers.