The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-05
FUNSTON DECLARES
w0rNDIN GDELrBERATE.

FUNSTON DECLARES
wouNDIN GDELIBERATE
Washington. Nov 4.-That the
wounding of American in Douglas dur
ing the fghtinE during the last few
days was due to Carranza forces and
was deliberate on the part of the in
dividuais responsible for it, was dis
closed today by Msjor-Generaf Fun
eton, in "A report to the War Depart
rent.
II had been supposed here that the
firing across the border which wound
ed a number of American soldiers and
one civilian. one fatally. was due TO
tn. poorly aimed fire OF the Villistas
who were attacking the border town
OF Aqua Prieta. General Funston $
report shows that this was not the
case.
deliberate firing on Americans by Car
ran,istas
The principal faults" he reported.
were committed by Cailas' men and
could not in fairness have opened on
villa men without treating Gales the
same way"
General Funston's report led to some
criticism here to the effect that the
American troops were there TO pro-
tect American lives and that II the
firing was shown to have been DELHI
erately aimed ut Americans he should
have taken any measures necessary to
stop 1t. Much interest Is being mani
tested here now as to whether or not
General Funston had any instructions
not made public as to the exercising
of special consideration for the Car
rama troops.
According TO General Funston's re-
port, villa yesterday moved his forces
away from Aqua Prieta and his pres
ent whereabouts Is not known. Gen
eral Funston stated that yesterday he
had talk with villa across the border
and found Villas attitude "satisfac-
tory"
Funston'm Report.
The ext o fhis report to the War De-
partment was as follows:
Yesterday General villa sent re-
quest to me for an interview and
though I had serious doubts as tc
whether my action would be approved
! finally concluded II best TO NEE,
him as he might have something oil
Importance 10 tell
We met on the boundary line one
mile east of Aqua Prieta trenches and
conversed in Spanish for about ter
minutes. His attitude was quite salts
factory. More detailed information will
be given In. a letter to the chief o,
staff,
with the withdrawal from around
Aqua Prieta of Villas main force be
gan late yesterday afternoon and con.
tinned untn noon today Long columnl
OF troops were plainly seen from Doug
Las moving to the westward. Severa
hundred were left here to cover thu
f1uR q p NJ Dirt ~ 1,
OF Villas troops from the eastward
that had not Joined him here. The re
suit was almost continuous fightint
all forenoon with a little, cannonadint
since then. Some OF Callas' infantr,
advanced from the trenches to accom-
plish nothing.
viIli.tas Pnas Around Town.
Six hundred cavalry then made
sortte. but were driven back after
SHORT engagement. In the meantim,
the villa troops from the westward
arrived end began passage aroun,
town being vigorously shelled by tn,
Caiias batteries. but succeeded In max
ing the passage. During the day
portion OF Callas' artillery in the re
doubt at the south salient fired abou
500 shots at various columns and de
tachments OF Villa troops within range
| Practically all OF these affairs wer
in plain view OF us. Shooting OF Cal
sas' artillery fairly good and conduct O
villa under rather severe shell FIRE
excellent.
1T may not be understood at tn
War Department why, In view OF ex
listing orders. l have not Aired upo,
the contending parties. CONSIDERING
the fact that some bullets and shell
struck on the American side and thre
men of the Seventh Infantry wer
wounded. This was not done becaus
OF the evident fact that both com
manders were doing all they coul,
to prevent injury to Americans TIL
j principal faults were committed b.
Cailas men, and / could not in fair
ness have opened on villa withnu
! treating Calais the same
! Deliberately Fired On.
! For example. yesterday, while Ma
jor Hay and other officers were tw
/ hundred yards north of boundary an,
! 800 wards from east flank OF Gala.
! trenches they were deliberately Are
on from them and nearly hit. Yes
I terday also a detachment OF the Mint!
Cavalry. 1900 yards in front Of ives
| flank of Cailas' trenches and at leas
4 zoo yards north of boundary, wa
fred upon there from first by ma
chine gun and then SIX times by ar
/ tillery. Further. this afternoon III
customs inspector at the same poin
was fired upon. Representation hav
been made to Calles. end he has ex
| pressed regrets and given necessar
assurances.
| ''The whereabouts OF villa and III
main force is tonight unknown. Their
are persistent rumors that hs Is a
Cabullen. eighteen miles south o
hare. recuperatinE his men In orde
TO return to attack but a snail de
tn Chment Of his force with SOM
wagons, has reached Naco and - pir
chasing food. while an ~fficer PATROL
ing east from NJ reports seeing
camp OF ass..-t 4. GSt across the bound
airy fro.c Osborne Villas force con
s.css of about $4,000 men. thirty 1T,
guns and an unknown number Of ma
chine guns. His men suffered terri
bly, from thirst and hunger but theii
spirit was shown by the fact that ]4a-
nan n dozen deserted to orr side Al
women. children and camp fc..cwerl
usually 10 be found with "a Maxicay