The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-24
WAR WITH MEXICO NOT YET DECLARED
BUT THE EVIL DAY IS DRAWING NEAR

IF the Eleventh sQuadrons
we're bringing back wounded eurviv-
ors of the Tenth, the men would havo
to be carried on litters. General
Pershfng did not report whether or
not he had sent out additional forces
to search for the Eleventh or aid
them. Army officers here have prac-
tically abandoned hope for all of
those In the Carrizal ambuscade ex-
cept the seven stragglers OF the
Tenth who -haxesso far arrived. at Gem
eral Pershing's headquarters. Not an
officer or non-commission in the de-
tachment, which numbered not more
than 100 men and probably was less
than that, has been reported SO far.
The seven known survivors are all
pr1vates and negroes. mainly those
who were assigned by Captain Boyd.
commanding the two squadrons, to
take the horses to the rear when the
men dismounted at the first sign OF
attack by the Mexicans. When they
saw their comrades surrounded on
three sides, raked on one flank by
machine gun fire and charged on the
other by cavalry, they realized the
hopelessness Of the fight and made
their way back to the American lines.
They were united in condemning the
treachery of the Carranzista forces
at Carrizal. None saw the termfna-
ton of the unequal fight. but they did
say the ambushed negro troops fought
gamely and with telling effect against
the horde Of their enemies.
Army officers here are exceedingly
anxious to learn the Carranza's gov.
ernment plans for the disposition of
the seventeen prisoners captured at
CarriZal and now held, it is reported.
in prison at Chihuahua. Since no
state of war" exists between the
United States and Mexico, it was
pointed out here that the defacto gov
ernment has no legal right to hold
these men as prisoners of war
that phrase being the one which was
employed by Carranza officials In de-
scribing their capture
General Invasion Expected.
COLUMBUS, N. NJ, June 24.-Vyaf
talk has again advanced the posi-.
bility of the Columbus base camp be-
ing abandoned If intervention comes.
A general invasion of Mexico is
expected to result in a quick move.
ment to take over the Mexican rail-
ways.
Abandonment Of the present long
communication and supply route
south of here will probably be one
of the first steps in the campaign.
Quiet was reported along the COM
munication lines early today. Sup
plies which continue to be rushed to
the expeditionary forces went out
last night escorted by a mounted
guard.
Argentine to be Neutral.
TBy Charles P. Stewart, United Press
Staff Correspondent
BUENOS AYRES. June H4.--The
Argentine government will dispatch
note to Chile today or tomorrow.
politely declining to Intervene with
other South American republics at
the present time in an effort to pre-.
vent war between Mexico and the
United States. The communication
will be in reply to message from
the Chilean foreign minister suggest.
ing that all Latin-America join in
such a movement. A similar mes sags
was sent to the Brazil government by
the Chilean foreign Office after com.
munication with the government OF
Ecuador. What action Brazil will take
toward Chile's suggestion is not
known De Lureo Muller, Brazilian
minister of foreign affairs, conferred
with the president of Brazil yester.
day before sailing for New York. He
then sent cablegram to Ambassa
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