The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-06-19
SNIPERS ATTACK
u. S. REAR GUARD
Funston Had Prepared to
Back Up Parker in Event
of Any Action.
FIJNSTON'S STATEMENT
FUNSTON'S STATEMENT

SCAN ANTONIO. Texas. June IS
General James Parker withdrew from
Mexico today the several hundred
American troops he sent in near
Brownsville yesterday in pursuit of
bandits.
On the way out armed men char
acterized by Parker as bandits. opened
fire on the retreating column, max
ing necessary a light rear guard ac-
ton, resulting in the killing OF one
OF the attacking party and the wound
ing Of two Others. None of the Amer
leans were hit.
General Parker's explanation TO
General Funston OF his Withdrawal
was that he regarded the dispersal OF
the bandits. the object OF the expedi-
ton, as accomplished
Unconcealed astonishment was
shown at the department headquart-
ers when Il was learned that the
Americans were back on this side OF
the line. although there was displayed
no disposition 10 criticize General
Parker n was realized that a long
or stay on the Mexican side proba bly,
would have caused a clash between
the Americans and the troops Of the
De facto government. Convinced that
a clash would occur. General Funston
and his staff had made all prepara-
tions to back up the expedition and
70 meet such other contingencies as
might arise al other points along the
border
warded or Clash.
The withdrawal OF the American
troops was regarded by most army
officers here as having warded off a
clash but =; was feared that the prece-
dent Of so quick a Withdrawal might
make more difficult similar operations
along the border when n became nee
essary TO chase bandits across the
line into MEXICO
Whether the early termination %
the case would have salubrious ef-
feet on The bandit organizations that
infesf the border for hundreds OF miles
was one of speculation among army
officers. 4 majority Of them sI-
pressed the opinion that the effect
would be To encourage them 10 make
fresh raids. believing that II they
could regain a footing on the Mexican
side they would be safe from long
pursuit
Fcw. n any. of the officer here
believed that the raids had ended and
General Funston and his staff were
studying carefully all reports affecting
The situation In which General pcrsh
ing has been placed. the reports ~
anti American demonstrations In Mer
ico. unexplained movement % Mex
can troops and the news % disturb
ances along the Arizona border The
military machinery was gone over
carefully today bv tho star officers and
u anv overtaet ~ Carranra's troouf
should make u necessary. " could b
Tct in motion without loss ~ time
Funston's Statement
General Funston tonight Issued fhe
following statement regarding General
Parkor's action
General Parker carried out the
orders which he had received ir a
manner entirely satisfactory 10 mo and
ir accordance with instructions re-
ceived from the war department re
had pursued the bandits that raided
American territory. driven them from
our soil. followed them N the other
eide n fhc river. Dispersed fhe band
broke up their rendezvous and 70
maincd In me vicinity while search
was being made for any further siFn
~ hardifs There being no further
eign ~ fhem this morning he with
drow hia troops 20 The American side
During me pursuit ~ fhe bandits
ono was killed and two wounded m
The American side yesterday and TODAY
ON tho Mexican side Two were killed.
and ono wounded
'Of course there are those Who viii
criticize. but fhov are NOT FULLY fn.
formed and DO NOT realize fhc roreo
quonro that would have followed had
General Parker taken other Kind ~
action