The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-16
DARES UNCLE sam
Mexican Says He Will Attack
if Troops Cross Border.
Bandit Chase Abandoned Fol-
lowing Bandit Battle.

San Antonio, June 16.-The only
new development in the Laredo situa-
ton as shown by overnight dispatches
to headquarters was General Ricaut's
eminent troops into the general ter
ritory opposite San Ignacio to pursue
bandits who took part in the attack
on American troops.
In notifying United States military
officials of his action, Ricaut express
ed regret that the attack had been
made and at the same time gave
warning that If American troops
crossed the border Carranza forces
would attack. 1t was the opinion of
Gray had abandoned search for the
bandits trail and given up hope of
following and apprehending them in
Mexico.
Army's Hands Are Tied.
In the meantime, the cavalry de-
tachments of the border guard are
compelled to ignore other forces OF
the Luis De La Rosa command con-
centrated across the river, waiting for
opportunity to make semi-surprise
Rosa boosted he would make four
raids. He has made two; another is
expected in the vicinity OF Zapata,
twenty miles down the river from San
Ignacio, and one from Hidalgo. sixty
miles UP the river from Laredo.
If the army had its way it would
take the initiative and strike these
bandit camps at night, without wait
ing for them to take the. aggressive,
but the administration will not per
NIT this.
Till two days ago a half OF Troop
M of the Fourteenth was at San Ig-
nacio and half at Zapata,' each pa
trolling the river. General Funston
ordered General Mann to send another
troop to that. region and in conse-
quence, Troop I had arrived and part
| of 1t was in camp near M troop. Both
detachments had men out on patrol
duty. Not more than sixty or seventy
men were in camp when the hundred
bandits attacked.
Battle In Moonlight
A sentry heard voices in the mes
quite and reported to the corporal OF
| the guard The corporal went to in
vestigate and was fired upon. 1nme-
diately the troopers sprang to the
camp trenches; one was killed as ne
| left his shelter tent. A bright moon
shone and within few minutes the
Mexicans had enough of punishment,
and fed. Mounted detachments took
up the pursuit, but the scattering
bandits eluded the troopers and In
| half an hour the fight was over.
Three Are Dead.
| Privates Charles F. Flowers and
Edward Katonah of Troop NJ were
killed instantly; Private James Nina
den of the same troops died at 8
o'clock.
The wounded are: Corporal Will
liam Oberlies, NJ troop, and Private
| James E. ROUGH, I troop, seriously;
Privates Tony Horlina, Henry Mata-
soft and Elmer w. Minnette of M
troop and Private Thomas H. Ewing
of I troop.
! A Mexican named Vincent Lira
came into the troops camp this morn
ing and said he was forced by the
| bandits to join them at La Jarita, but
escaped during the attack. He said
| force. whose purpose was Ito carry
| the revolution into Texas"
One of the dead bandits had in his
| pockets commission from Carranza
as Major Cruz Ruiz"
General Funston today ordered the
| Thirtieth infantry to Eagle Pass and
| the regiment will leave here tomorrow
| morning. General Greene. in COM
| mand of that district. has been com-
PEELED to deplete his infantry force at
Eagle Pass to provide guards for
| towns and ranches.
Get Another Columbus Raider.
General Pershing reported today the
capture of Captain Pedro Luzan, a
lieutenant of Cervantes and a Column
bus raider, at Tepahuanes. twenty-five
| miles from Santa Clara, early in the
morning of June IL. The capture was
| made by a detachment of the Thir-
| teenth cavalry under Captain Turner
and Lieutenant Patton.