Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-11
NINE BANDITS DEAD
IN BORDER BATTLES
Four Are Americans and Five
Mexicans-One Trooper
Killed.

BROW NSNlLLE, rex, august IL
Little lessening of activities on the
part of Mexican ranch raiders in the
Rio Grande valley was indicated in re-
ports reaching here in the last twenty
four hours. which told of numerous at
tacks by the bandits and several bat
ties between the Mexicans and soldiers
Ten men were reported to have been
killed in the battles yesterday and last
night. bringing the death list. since the
commencement of the outrages by the
raiders, up to nearly twenty.
United States Trooper Killed.
The ten reported dead includer one
United States trooper. four Americans
believed to be members of the bandit
bands, and five Mexicans. The trooper
was killed last night at Palm Garden
near Mercedes, Tex, when he. with
several other cavalrymen, was attacked
by Mexican bandits, who appeared sud
denly out of the darkness. shot at the
soldiers, and quickly disappeared.
The Mexicans, according to reports,
had cut the telephone wire connecting
Palm Garden with Mercedes. A farmer
found the break, connected the wires
and reported the shooting to Mercedes.
Additional soldiers and a posse of citi-
zens Immediately left for Palm Garden.
News of their possible meeting of the
bandits was awaited today. The latest
trouble to be reported occurred at Sc
bastian early today, where two Mexi-
can bandits. captured by Texas rangers
last night, attempted to escape and
were shot and killed.
Two American Bandits Killed.
HARLINGEN. Tex, August 1.-Two
brothers named Brady were killed near
here yesterday by Texas rangers. The
Bradys were formerly residents Of Har-
lingen and were alleged leaders of
Mexican outlaws. The rangers came
upon them with a number of Mexicans,
and 1t was said the Bradys fired upon
the rangers. the encounter taking place
west of Sebastian, where the two
Austins were killed last Friday.
May Strengthen Border Forces.
In accordance with Secretary Lans-
ing's announcement yesterday. that 1t
might be necessary to strengthen the
forces on the border because of brigand-
age, orders probably will be going out
soon to army posts to hold troops in
| readiness. If not actually to move them
Secretary Garrison returned today and
conferred with his staff on the subject
THE conditions on the border" said
| he. have nothing whatever to do with
the fighting in Mexico and have no
political significance. Lawless people
are using this time of excitement as an
opportunity to plunder and steal. and
| we are not sure that all the lawbreak-
ers are Mexicans. Some OF them, we
know, are not"
Under Maj. Gen. Funston's command
| on the border are nine regiments OF
cavalry. six and one-half regiments OF
4 81 <,,vI re- n A@I<
artillery, in all about $4,000 troops.
| States are about $4,000 more mobile
| that if the need Of troops became i'm
perative 1t might be necessary to use
some national guardsmen.
Mexicans Invade Texas.
| Reports have reached here that more
than 1000 Carranza troops from the
command of Gen. Navarette, in the
state of Tamaulipas, have moved over
into Texas In the territory surrounding
Brownsville, and have scattered into
| bands to rally Mexicans in the state
with the announced purpose of begin
ming an uprising. They are reported
! to be under command of Juan Delos
| Santos, Vincente Davila and Carlos
Garcia.
| War Department officials would not
discuss the report, but 1t was said to
be in their possession, and probably
would be one of the reasons for moving
! troops to the border.