The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-22

alton on a really big scale the great
problems, would be in the dealings
with the various big units with the
Carranza army stationed within strik-
ing distance of every port of entry
from Brownsville to Lower California.
News that Juarez was being evacu-
ated by the Mexican garrison did not
surprise the headquarters staff, who
yesterday learned that General Ricaut
had removed his forces from Mata-
moros and that similar action had
been taken at one or two ether towns.
In no case. however. have the MeM-
can forces moved far south of the bor-
der.
Apparently the intention of Mexican
army officers has been to make such
disposition of their men that defense
| could be maintained beyond towns
that lie under the guns planted on
the American side. Instead of evacua-
ton at all points however, notable ex-
ception was offered at Pedras Negras
opposite Eagle Pass. At that point the
garrison was increased by the arrival
of General Francisco Murgia with
1000 troops most of them YaQui In
dams. Additional troops also were
added to the garrison at Ojinaga, OPP
posite Preside and from Nogales there
was reported a heavy concentration
some miles in the interior and in posi-
ton to menace a rich valley on the
American side.
None of the reported Mexican troop
movements caused anxiety at army
headquarters however, where conf
dence is felt in the ability of the
| American force to carry out without
hitch the orders they may receive.
The Gonzales Statement.
The statement issued by the JuareZ
commander reads:
Immediately upon learning of the
presence of the American troops in
the vicinity of Carrizal, Gen. Felix
Gomez dispatched a messenger with a
request that the American command
er withdraw to his camp. When the
| American troops remained motionless
| he sent a second dispatch bearer. who
was fired upon by the American troops
after he had delivered his message.
The Americans Immediately moved
| forward ard attacked General Co
mez's command.
All the prisoners admitted that the
blame should be put on the American
commander for having ordered the at
tack. The prisoners were sent to Chi
huahua City with the customary pro-
lection
Whichever side began the engage
ment. the MeMcans had the adVa ntace
for they had provided themselves with
a machine gun and this is supposed
to have done deadly execution in the
ranks of the Americans. That the
latter were not inefficient, however is
. proved by the number of Mexican
dead and wounded removed by Villa
Ahumada and witnessed by Americans
coming north on a train bound for
Juarez.
Americans Tell of Battle
The battle began about 1890 a. m
and lasted not more than an hour. II
apparently ended by both sides with
drawing. The failure of General
Pershing to report on it indicated that
the American survivors had not yet
returned to their base at an early hour
tonight.
A story brought to Ell Paso by J.
C. Hubble, an American, who has been
employed by the Compania Agricola
at BoQuillas, bears out several of the
details of the engagement as presented
by General Gonzales. bubbles story
was corroborated by Joseph Maxey
another American, who also was on
| his way to Ell Paso from the interior
Hubble and Maxey said that while
their train was stopping at Villa
Ahumada they noticed numbers OF