Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-06-22
MEXICAN SITUATION
REACHES CRISIS
President Wilson Sends
Ultimatum to General
Carranza.
FORTY KILLED IN SKIRM|SH
Funston Confirms Report of
Fighting but has no Fur
ther Details

President Wilson emphatically re
fused yesterday to withdraw tn,
troops from Mexico. This ultimatun
has been communicated to Genera
Carranza and the whole country i,
awaiting the result
Whether the result will mean wal
with Mexico depends altogether upor
the answer conveyed to Washington
/ 10y the Carranza government Citi.
zens OF both nations apparently are
preparing for it. Opposing military
forces are facing each other in the
border district and mobilization of the
national guard is being rushed in
every state. General Carranza in a
speech delivered in Mexico City, stat
ed that he was hopeful that hostili-
ties might be avoided.
The United States reply to Carran-
"a, demanding removal of American
troops from Mexican territory reach
ed General Carranza yesterday. The
note leaves no doubt as TO the posi-
tion of the administration although it
maintains its original policy of enter
ing war only for defense.
Official reports from many quarters
indicate that flame of popular feel
ing against this government is being
kindled throughout Mexico. Appar-
emily it is being done with the sane
tion of General Carranza for many of
the acts are of authorized military or
civil agents. All over Mexico posters
calling the people to arms and assert
ing that the United States is preparing
to hurl its armies into Mexico That
General Carranza remains quiet on all
these acts shows that he is determined
to force matters to an issue unless the
troops are Immediately withdrawn.
While 100000 members of the
militia are being modified General
Funston is studying the border stu
alton for any indication of war on the
part of the Carranza troops. Officers
commanding along the Rio Grande
from Brownsville to FL Paso are OBJ
tanning what information they can
concerning the movements of the Mex
lean troops. The information received
thus far at headquarters indicates that
the Mexican in case of break will
maintain heavy garrisons all along the
Rio Grande as that is the place most
acceptable to the United States to
commence attack.
General Carranza repeated again
this week that Mexico did not want
war at this time or any other time
with the United States and that no at
tempt will be made by Mexican troops
to enter the territory of the United
States, but that the sovereignty of
Mexico must be maintained. We will
resist any attempt at invasion is Car
ranza's statement.
All week demonstrations have been
going on in Mexico City directed main
ly against the attitude of the United
States. During the demonstrations
the American consulate was stoned.
The stoning occurred while Vice-Gen-
eral Rowe was in the building and
only ten minutes after Special Repre-
Rogers had left the place.
Increasing uneasiness on the part
of American citizens continued today
and many have already left the ter
ritory for the border and home. At
present there are about 5000 Ameri-
cans in Mexico. Approximately 1,200
of this number are in Mexico City de-
spite the warnings of this govern
ment to stay out of that city and local
ity. Another warning and message
urging them to leave Mexico City at
once was issued to all Americans this
week by Special Representative Rogers
Careful preparations have been made
for the protection of the big American
colony at Tampico. In numbers it is far
greater than the colony at Mexico
City, but Tampico is near the sea and
navy gun boats and light crafts have
already been assigned to give prompt |
aid.
Forty United States troops were re-
ported killed in battle with Carran-
ziatas 80 miles below the border in the !
vicinity of Carnival. This report was
confirmed by a report to the war de-
partment from General Funston. The |
Mexican causalities are reported not |
to be very heavy.