Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-17
U. S. TROOPER KILLED
BY MEXICAN INVADERS;
VILLA EXECUTES FOES
Bandits in Force Believed Nov
ing on Mercedes, Tex.
Funston Ordered to
Exterminate
ANOTHER SOLDIER SHOT

WASHINGTON. Aug. 1Z-Bxtermna-
tion Of the armed Mexican bands In the
Brownsville district has been decreed.
The War Department has sent word to
General Funston, commanding the boz
der. to resort to more drastic measures to
keep the raiders south Of the Rio Grande.
General VILLA is executing many per
sons In Chihuahua, dispatches 10 the
| State Department this morning declared
! Many shocking executions are being
/ made daily by General villa" one dis
| patch stated Wounded are arriving Mt
I Chihuahua from the scene of lighting
! ncnr Torrcon."
The report of the clash between Troop
G Of the 18th Cavalry and MeNicans. said
! to be CarranZn soldiers near Mercedes,
30 miles from Brownsville. has angered
War Department oticinls, In consequence,
Funston has been notified tHat the bor-
der patrols should be strengthened at
every point, so that they may cope with
any invading force.
ono United States trooper was killed
and ono was wounded in the fight near
Mercedes.
Nillsta forces under General Maytorena
have administered a crushing defeat to
Carranzn band at Prentecito. near No
gales, Sonora, according to a statement
given out here today by the Nilllsta
agency.
An Ill Paso dispatch says alarming re-
ports Of the dcpredations of a band OF
l25 Mexicans, who crossed the Rio Grande
below Fort Hancock last night. have been
received. MexIcans attacked the ranch
of E. C. Wlles. driving Off all the live
stock and stripping II of all supplies. In
stead OF heading toward Mexico the ban
dts made off toward the ranch country
thanking the Texas Pacific Railway.
officials have made up their minds to |
expect an unfavOrable answer from |
Carranza to the peace conference pro- |
posals To all suggestions that he easily |
could dominate such a meeting the |
first chief has turned n deaf ear
They are hopeful, however, that his
resistance will be nullified to a great
extent by an acceptance of the sugges-
tion by General Obregon. Although 1t
is admitted that steps are well under
way to secure the latters consent
officials decline to say just what is being
done.
It is understood that the envoy who has
gone to Carranza's chief general with
copy of the proposal. also took with him
another note. signed by at least two of
the South American diplomats, pointing
out the great glory that would be his II
he would swing his stubborn chief into
line.
BROWNSVILLE. Tex, Aug H.
Armed Mexicans in force crossed the Rio
Grande at n ford near Mercedes last
night attacking an outpost of half
dozen cavalrymen at Saenz. Ranger
Lieutenant Reynau Mt Mercedes. tele-
Dhoned State Adjutnnt General Hutch
ngs here that Corporal William, OF
Troop c, 18th Cavalry, was killed and
Lieutenant Roy o. Henry of the same
roop. was wounded.
Reynau said he understood 270 MeXi-
ans had crossed, and that they were
oming to attack Mercedes.
Mercedes. the reported objective of
he Mexlcans, is 80 miles northwest of
Brownsville, on the railway connecting
hat port with the interior.
Reports of renewed attempts by Mexi- !
an bandits to reorganize their bands In
he lower Rio Grande valley were brought
ere by Captain of Texas Rangers j. j.
ianders. Captain Sanders said he had
eceived reports that Mexlcans are cross
ng into Texas one or two at a time, and
hat they are attempting to gather again
! H,dalgo County, west Of Brownsville
The 26th Infantry, from Texas City
'ent on duty here yesterday About 70 =
len OF the 26th were left at Kingsville,
% miles north OF Brownsville. and more
nan two companies went on patrol at
larllngen, between here and Ningsyille.
Rangers and peace officers are dlsarm-
" all Mexicans outside of the larger
owns throughout the Brownsville sec
on, The finding of firearms In the pos
1Esion of MeXcans Is practically eauly- c
lent TO a death warrant unless the Next s
an Is known TO Americans as being 4
eaoeful. Even with such record. fire. /
rms are eonfseated and a warning given d
OF 70 obtain any more I