Norwich bulletin., 1916-06-22


 M Paso. Tex. June z1.-American and Carranza troops fought a bloody battle today only a few hours after President wilson's six thousand word rebuke yesterday to General Carranza had gone forward to Mexico City. With which side victory rested is not known.
 ! Number of Dead Not Known. The engagement took place on the iSanto Domingo ranch near the Mexi- can town of Carrizal, which is nine miles southwest of Villa Ahumada, the Mexican field headquarters in north ern Chihuahua. The number of dead, Mexican or American, was not def1- nftely known here tonight. but nearly 3. score of General Pershing's men are said to have been killed and the Mexi- cans are said to have lost more than two score. Seventeen Americans are declared by Mexican officials to have been captured and to have been hur- lied to Chihuahua City under adequate El1aru- A machine gun used by the sAexicans is reported to have done neavy execution
 Probably Tenth Cavalry.
 The Americans engaged are thought 10 have been members of troop from the Tenth cavalry, a negro regiment, A~NNAAAAAAfn O A. QAAA NA ksk04LAlB Gk4U .lOLNTuZ~ man. The size of the Mexican force, whose commander, General Felix Gomez was killed, is not known.
 Saw Number Of Mexieans Dead. News of the battle was received in 9uarez early this afternoon by Gen. eral Francisco Gonzales, Carranza Commander of the military zone along sthe border. For some reason General tGonzales kept the story secret until late in the afternoon, when an Arneri- can. J. e. Huppel, returning to the border from the interior, brought tc Fl Paso the news that he had seen numbers of Mexican dead along the sNdextcan Central railroad tracks al Villa Ahumada and had been told that there had been an encounter. Charges American Troops Fired First General Gonzales first step aftel confirming the news was to issue . statement placing the blame on the American commander. He. charged That the American troops fired first or the MexicanS and that their Shots were directed at a courier who haG just presented to them a request thaf they retire.
 American army officers declared ab. solute disbelief tonight in Genera Gonzales assertions. The opinion wa expressed that If the Americans fres
 
 it was necessary in order to insur, their own safety
 General Treyino's recent warning q General Pershing not 10 send hi troops south or west of Hleir position was recalled.
 Excitement in EI Paso.
 Excitement spread in Fl Paso a extras were issued and the news be Vame known. Quiet was maintained however, in view of General Bells ire quent admonitions that his soldier could take care of any situation tha might arise. While awaiting instruc lions from headquarters at San An tonic, General Bell kept his entir force in readiness for instant actior Tn the meantime, word came fror Juarez that all was quiet, althoug news of the battle was widesprea rhere.
 Early tonight the only of1ciaI de tails of the engagement Received her came from tlle Mexican side of tn river General Gonzales said that ii information was transmitted to hiI from Villa Ahumada today by Colont Genovezo Rfves, who commanded th MeUicans after their leader, Geners Gomez, was slain. General Gonzale also gave the Mexican explanation { how the two forces came into contac
 Mexican Account of Battle.
 AcCord1ng to General Gonzales, was informed by General Gomez ( Villa Ahumada last night of the pres Hnce of the Americans westward be tween Villa Ahumada and El Valle. E says he immediately instructed Ger erat Gomez to proceed to the Sani Domingo ranch, where the ATnericax were reported in unknown force" an advise their commander to retire their camp
 This, he says. Generaq Gomez di tkls morning. The American con rnander, whose name was not give by General Gomez, is said to have r1 lplied that he was instructed to procee 10 Villa Ahlimada and must do so.
 Whichever side began the engag, n1ents the 41exicans had the advantag for they had provided themselves vii O machine gun and this is suppose to have done deadly execution in u ranks of the Americans That the la. ter were not inefficient, however W; proved by the number of Mexico dead and wounded removed to VII Ahumada and witnessed by American coming north on a train bound f Juarez
 Lasted About an Hour.
 The battle began about 10.s0 a. T and lasted not more than an hour apparently ended with both si2 withdrawing. The failure Of Gener Pershing to report 1t indicated tn tho American survivors had not y