New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-14
CARRANZA ARMY
NEAR BORDER
Reprisal Is Expected if
American Marines Are
Landed at Vera Cruz.
$500 ON PATROL DUTY
Force Believed Inadequate II
Attack Is Made-Large Num-
Der of Raiders Killed.
rr. r.,,rr,Dh % The rrihune.l

Brownsville, Aug. 13.-Fear is
growing rapidly that the city of
Brownsville is in peril Of sacking
bv Carranza troops from Mata-
moros.
So strong is the belief among
leading citizens that if American
marines are landed at Vera Cruz,
no matter on what preteXt, as a
measure Of reprisal Mexican soldiers
will be rushed across the border and
this place given up TO pillage, that
an appeal for more United States
troops from Fort Brown to guard
the city viii be made.
Twenty men crossed the Rio
Grande from Mexico tonight near
Mercedes, about forty miles up the
Rio Grande from here. American
officers. warned that such a crossing
would be attempted, had disposed
armed posses at several points,
Three Of these posses are closing in
10 surround the Mexicans.
There are now $500 United
States soldiers on patrol duty be-
tween Brownsville and Laredo, but
this force is considered inadequate
in case Of an attack by a large body
of Mexican troops. Included in the
American patrol are 1000 cavalry
men and 1000 infantrymen.
Although it is given out officially
that the number of Mexicans killed
in the raids of the last few days is
between fifteen and twenty, it is
generally known that many more
than those accounted for have been
slain.
Seize Armed Mexicans.
As long as the Texas communities
are living day and night under the
guard of the United States Army
rifles. Ranger and peace officers re-
gard with instant suspicion any
Mexican who is caught armed. If
he is slow to explain his life is in
immediate danger, and if he makes
any threatening move his life is for
feited.
So thorough has been the Rangers
search, it is believed that nearly all
Of the marauders have been driven out
Of the Brownsville section or are so
frightened that they will remain peace
ful until they get aid from Mexico.
Manuel Rincones, who said he was
forced 20 join the Mexicans, is said to
have given to Captain Anderson writ
ten statement which described the
brush where the Mexicans hide as being
so thick that IL was necessary to roll
their water barrel to get it into camp.
This gang carried a white flag with the
yellow letter "E" embroidered on it.
Several Brownsville Mexicans as
serted this Il" stood for Procopio Eli
condo, one Of the chief officers of Cen
eral Z. P. Nafarte, Carranza COM
mander at Matamoros, opposite here.
Elitondo denied that he or his name
had any connection with the flag.
Tells of Killing Wounded Man.
Chiefs Of the Norias band, the Rim
cones statement said, were named
Louis, Miguel and Grabriel. Miguel, he
said, shot and killed one of the wound
ed members Of his band whom he con-
sidered too badly injured to be taken
with the outlaws.
Ranger Captains Fox and Sanders,
who have been working in the section
north Of Brownsville, have had their
men running down clews TO identity
the raiding Mexcans. 1t is said that
one Of the clews indicate that Mexicans
IN the interior of Coahuila, Mexican
border state, brought word in advance
10 their compatriots in Texas that the
recent outbreak was about to occur.
lnere was evidence also that some OF
the principal leaders Of the raids have
gone back into Mexico.
Search for band Of about thirty
Mexlcans, some of them known TO be
direct from Mexico, proceeded tonight
IN the mesquite brush about fifty
miles north OF Brownsville.
The band consists of about half of
those who attacked the Norias ranch
house on Sunday night IL includes
men alleged TO have read a proclama-
ton that they were attempting to con-
quer a part Of Texas. At least thirty
hve Of the original members of this
band came from the Mexican side OF
the Rio Grande, officers here say.