Bisbee daily review., 1916-10-21
Bloodless Skirmish Follows Attack by Alleged Drunken Mexicans on American Sol diers on Lower Rio Grande.
MEXICANS CROSS TO
 U. s. BUT SOON FLEE
No One Is Hurt--Joint lnvesti-
 gation by Officers of Both
 Countries Is Begun to Lo- cate Responsibility.
(By Review Leased Wire.)

SAN ANIONlO, Ocl- SO-Allei-
 ican troops and Mexicans clashed
 near San Jose in the Big Bend
 country yesterday afternoon, ac-
 cording to a report received by
 General Funston early tonight
 from Colonel Jos. Gaston, con-
 mander of the district The fight
 lasted 45 minutes. No losses were
 suffered by the Americans and in-
 formation is lacking regarding
 loss among the Mexicans.
 Colonel Gaston's report said that band of about 30 Mexicans opened fire on a detachment composed of g men of the Sixth Cavalry and Texas national guard squadron engaged in patrol duty between Presidio and Ruidosa. Lieutenant Burlington, con- manding the troops, ordered his men to return the fire.
 Battle Rages 45 Minutes.
 A vigorous exchange of shots con- tinued for 45 minutes, the Americans and Mexicans firing from covered posi- tions on either side of the Rio Grande. Colonel Gaston did not indicate that the United States troops crossed in pursuit of the Mexicans. After the fight Lieutenant Burlington returned to Ruidosa with his command.
 Mexicans Unidentified.
 Whether the Mexicans were de facto government troops or members of bandit band was not known to- night Colonel Gaston reported that Major A " P. Anderson, of the Sixth Cavalry. had gone to San Jose to in- vestigate. Colonel Rojos, Commander of the Carranza garrison at Ojinaga, has gone to the scene of the fight for the same purpose, according to Col. Gaston.
 MExIcANS "DRUNK"
 WASHINGTON, Oct 20.@General Funston, reporting tonight on the ex- change of shots across the border a' San Jose, said that late reports reach ing him indicated that the American troops were fired upon "by drunken Mexicans"
 The dispatch made no mention of firing by the American troops and said there were no casualties on either side. Officials here were inclined to attach little significance to the incl dent, believing that an irresponsible band had blundered upon the detach- ment of Americans and withdrawn after firing a few desultory shots. There was nothing in Gen Funston's dispatch, it was said, to indicate a prolonged engagement
 MExcANs CROSS, REcRoSS.
 WASHINGTON, Oct 20.-A para phrase of the dispatch made public by the war department follows:
 Commanding officer of Big Bend district reports that on the evening of October 19. g men of the Sixth Cavalry and Texas squadron of cav airy at San Jose, ten miles below Ruidosa. were fired upon from the Mexican side by a party of about 30 Mexicans. Some of these Mexicans crossed to our side but immediately withdrew to the Mexican side. There were no casualties on either side.
 Later reports show firing was prob ably done by drunken Mexicans."
 NO CASUALTIES.
 PRESIDIO Tex. Oct 20.-A clash occurred between a patrol e Texas cavalry and armed Mexicans at the little town of San Jose, 45 miles up the Rio Grande from here, last even- ing. fire passing from both banks of the River. according to reports re- ports received at military headquar- ters here. So far as known here, there were no casualties on either side.
 The patrol belonged to the garrison at Ruidosa. and Major Long of the Texas cavalry. has gone to San Jose with a part of the command Co con duct an investigation at San Jose with view to determining the cause of the clash.
 It has not been determined so far whether the Mexicans belonged to the forces of the de faecto govrnment or were armed irresponsibles.