New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-09-19
SAY U.S.. TROOPS
PROVOKED FIGHT
Carranzistas Will File
Protests on Battle on
Rio Grande.
AMERICANS DENY
THEY FIRED FIRST
Say Both Skirmishes Occurred
at Notorious SmugglerS'
Crossings.


Washington, Sept. 1S.- Eliseo Are
dondo, Carranza's confidential agent
here, announced to-day that he would
file a protest with the State Depart
ment against attacks by United States
troops and Texas Rangers on peace
ful Mexicans along the Texas border
in the neighborhood Of Brownsville"
Mr. Arredondo received a brief dis
patch to-day from Consul Cara at
Brownsville, who asserts that such at
tacks are verified by American Consu!
johnson, at Matamoros.
Consul Garza's telegram says:
"a dissgreeable incident occurred
yesterday. when a clash arose between
American soldiers In front Of Rsmi-
reno Ranch, Texas, situated on the
Rio Grande, about three miles above
the international bridge. The Amer
leans pretended that they were at
tackled by Mexicans and were answer
ing the fire. General Nafarrete, com
mandant at Matamoros, dispatched
Colonel Chapa rs personal escort to
the American Consul. Johnson, and
jointly they investigated the matter
They report as follows:
Pour Mexican soldiers were TAX
ing care of horses at PASTURE. One
Of the soldiers was asleep. They were
fred on by American soldiers,
but the fire was not returned, despite
the fact that one Of the Mexicans was
badly wounded.
"Colonel Chapa and Consul Johnson
assured me that they examined the
arms Of the Mexican soldiers and
found no signs of their having been
fred. Nevertheless, the American sol
diers insist that they were attacked.
Colonel Blocksom, L. S. A., stated that
he was very sorry for the occurrence,
assuring me that he will prevent his
soldiers on the Texas side from repeat
ing this offence. He coupled this as
surance with request to General
Nafarrete that he issue similar or
ders.'
A report to the War Department to-
day from Colonel Blocksom mentions
engagements between his troops and
Mexican forces, and adds that 1t was
evident the attack was made by Car
rama soldiers, and that their com
mander endeayored to make it appear
that our soldiers fired first"
Lack of fuel to operate trains has
prevented the departure of Americans
from Durango. Arrangements have
been made for nearly all Americans
10 leave as soon as fuel can be OBJ
tanned.
General Villa sent direct assurances
to the State Department to-day that
lives and property of Americans in his
territory would receive protection.
From Vera Cruz come reports that
three passenger trains between there
and Mexico City have been attacked
recently and that the service was en-
tirely suspended September IA.
An unidentified American citizen was
killed by Indians at San Bias, Sinaloa,
q few days ago, according to State De-
partment advices to-day. The Amerl-
can Consul at Mazatlan has urged the
military authorities there to sppre-
bend those responsible.
Brownsville, Tex, Sept ia com
plete lull in fighting across the RIO
Grande in this section was reported
to-day from all army patrols. Colonel
A. p. Blocksom went to Donna to IN
vestigate the reports that seventeen
were killed in yesterdays
fight with twelve American cavalry
men at that place. Colonel Blocksom
said that his officers reported posi-
lively that there were no known casu-
alties on either side.
Colonel Robert l.. Billiard, at Har-
lingen, to-day sent a considerable force
of the 26th Infantry to Del Fina, sew
enty-fve miles northwest OF Browns
willie, in the interior, where citizens
and scouts reported bands OF Mexi-
cans.
In investigating the cause OF yes
tsrday's two fights between American
soldiers and Mexicans across the Rio
Grande army officers found that both
occurred at notorious smugglers'
crossings.
Ell Psso, Tex, Sept. fs.-Reports that
the evacuation Of Torreon was pracu-
caHy completed yesterday and that
General Villa is now at chihuahua
with most of his army were brought
to the border by foreigners arriving
to-day. General Villas family was
said to have Joined the flight from
Torreon.
Reports among the refugees here in
dictate there is well defined plan
among the military leaders to wage
guerrilla warfare against the Carranza
forces from Chihuahua City.
General Manuel Chao, Villa com
mander in the Psrral district, Is on
the way to California, fugitive from
Villas army, according to reports be-
lieved to be authentic reaching here
to-day.