The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-21

BL PASO. Texas, Juno 21.-Gener-
al George Bell Jr, commanding at
Fort Bliss, today denied rumors OF
lighting between Carranzista and
United States troops south of Nami-
Quipa.
"If there was any truth IN the -e-
port, I would have received omcial
OF the fighting" said
Bell.
Mexican sniping is believed to have
caused reports Of a clash However.
the American forces and the Car
ranzistas face each other south OF
Namiquipa and local authorities st,n
believe a battle imminent.
General Trevino, commander OF the
north, is preparing to leave Chihua-
hua City with his staff, personally TO
take the field, refugees declared.
Reports received by state depart
ment agents indicate that tho defacto
government is making every prepar-
alton for hosttlities. Troops are be-
ing mobilized, recruiting is going on
and large forces are being sent to
northern points.
Recent arrivals reported anti-Amer1-
can demonstrations In several Mexl-
can states, encouraged by officers OF
the defacto government.
General Pershing is reported today
at Colonia Dublan where his largest
force is entrenched. Preparations
have been made to rush reinforce
ments to Namiquipa II the American
troops there are attacked.
Motor trucks leaving Columbus
with ammunition and supplies for the
punitive expedition are heavily guard
ed Machine guns have been mounted
on the wagons The trucks In the
motor trains have been instructed to
keep tog ether in order to resist more
if attacked Practically all
trains returning to Columbus report
ed sniping.
Carranza Nears tho End.
[By J. P. Yoder, United Press staf
Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 21.-The Car
ranza government is nearing It's end,
a high administration official said
today. The machinery is cr11mbling
and only an unexpected, right about
face in Carranza's method can pre-
vent the governments complete dis
this official declared,
even long enough for It to be replaced
by government strong enough to
prevent near anarchy in the southern
republic. Such situation has been
for months by some war
and state officials. Because the ad-
has repeatedly announc-
ed publicly and has insisted on CIV
ing the Carranza government every
chance to restore Mexico to a real
status among nations, such official
prophets were given scant hearing.
In some instances, administration Of
ficials declared prophesies unconfrn-
ed by official reports. saying settled
exist only in certain localf-
ties 'Watchful waiting" has run It's
course, it Is thought In some channels.
Officials pointed to the note sent Car
rama that President Wilson and Sec
retary Lansing are finally convinced
that some other man than Carranza
and that some other government than
the present defacto structure is need
ed to bring Mexico out of her ten
year period of revolution, rebellion
and intercine strife.
No better evidence Of this attitude
of the administration could be found
today than the statement Of the higE
administration official mentioned who
said This government still hopes
for peaceful settlement of the Mexi-
can situation We are far removed
from war or Intervention. But even
If it should become necessary through
some overt act of Carranza or his
armed forces. fer the punitive expedi-
ticn to take up more serious task,
who would our armed forces set out
to fight?"
War department officials declared
that in the event of real trouble, they
expected no more than two or pos
sibly three real engagements. But
there would still be left the more
serious work of policing and paci-
flying the country south of the Rio
Crande. It would not be matter