The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-22
and members of the genral staff were
hard at work.

and members of the genral staff were
hard at work.
Administration officials early today
however, took the position that hasty
Judgment would be avoided. Until
General Pershing has made formal
report they declared. 1t is not safe to
assume that the battle at Carrizal
was necessarily an act of war
They declared that until Pershing
is heard from in detail, the president
will not 80 before congress
Dispatches from Mexico City said
today all blame was laid on the
American forces by the war office.
Against the Mexican claim that the
Americans were the aggressors, at
tempting to capture the railway sta
ton at Carrizal, were placed border
reports that the Americans were
merely accommodating and were led
into an ambush.
One Of the biggest elements in the
entire situation is the fact that the
Mexicans are reported to hold a num-
Der of American soldiers prisoner.
Their release would be demanded
through military channels, without
waiting upon the tedious machinery
of diplomacy.
Pershing's reported seizure of
Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas
Grandes-American Mormon colonies
was interpreted as indicative Of
actual war preparation. Military men
said Pershing now will go on his own
discretion.
The border patrol at Nogales has
been strengthened by General Fun.
ston. Senator Ashurst of Arizona,
at midnight asked considerable rein.
foreements there in view of the re-
ports from that city that vast num-
Der of Carranzistas are passing be-
low the boundary.
The navy has everything in readi-
ness to clamp blockade on Mexican
ports. Up to noon, however, this
action had not officially been taken,
though navy officers admitted that
no ammunition ships will be permit
ted to enter Mexican ports.
Ambassador Explains.
WASHINGTON, June l2.-Mexican
Ambassador Arredondo was this
morning instructed by General Car
rama to call upon Secretary Lansing
for a discussion Of the CarriZal battle.
Arredondo will tell Lansing that the
attack on the American troops was
provoked by their apparent movement
toward Carrizal. He will ask Lansing
for an explanation of that movement
He will also ask if the reported occu-
patton of Casas Grandes by American
troops is true.
If he is told this is true he will
explain to Lansing that such move
ment though perhaps harmless in it.
self, is of an extremely provocative
nature and might lead to further
clashes.
The position and understanding of
Arredondo is that General Carranza's
instructions to him is that the first
chief has no intention Of going to war
with the United States on account of
either the American note or the Carri-
zal fight. Arredondo believes there is
no danger of break gro~lng out of
diplomatic negotiations believing
firmly that both governments are de-
sirous of peace. But both he and Car
rama fear that further trouble be-
tween the excited commanders of
both the American and Mexican forces
may cause a break.
In the turmoil of the present mill
tary situation each side, Arredondo
believes, views the other with such
suspicion and wrath that further
trouble is to be feared.
Secretary Lansing and Mexican
Am bassador Arredondo went into con-
ference at 1885 a. M, at Arredondo's
request to consider the American note
and the fight at Carrizal. The ambas-
sador was acting under instructions
today from Carranza
President WatchfuIIy Waits.
[By Robert J. Bender United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 22.-Until it
IS definitely established that there is
an organized effort by Carranza
,roops to attack or harrass American
forces in northern Mexico. no change
n President Wilson's policy toward
Mexico is likely, callers learned to-
lay.
The president is awaiting complete
ietails on the fight between Carranza
md American soldiers at CarrizaI be-
,ore planning his action. Floods of
inquiries poured in as to the true
situation. Scores Of congressman
wished to learn the determination of
he administration. The president III
Heated very clearly that if change
n policy occurs, it will result on the |
initiative of the Mexicans. If a con- !
'lict is found necessary as a last re- !
;ort, the president emphatically de-
;lared it would in no way be a war of |
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