New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-14
News of Parral Battle
Causes Anxiety for
Isolated Column.
WAR MAY FOLLOW
NOTES REJECTION
No Steps Taken to Prepare
for EventuaIitieS on BOr-
der or in Mexico.
Prom rNs rfihuns BuresuI

za's demand that American troops
be withdrawn from Mexico at once
and his contradiction of President
| Wilson's statement that the troops
had entered Mexico under agree
ment with his government. were Off
cially presented TO the President to-
day.
News Of the killing of at least ore
American soldier by a rising of the
populace at Parral, where there is
Carranza garrison, followed it, and
was accompanied by renewal Of the
demand.
No reply, either by word or ac-
ton, came from the Administration,
but those close 20 the President re-
iterated the previous assurance that
the American troops would not bo
withdrawn now, nor until their mis-
sion was accomplished. II this
should mean war, they said, the re-
sponsibility would rest on Carranza,
but they secuted the possibility Of
war.
War Heads in Conference.
The only sign of activity follow
ing the receipt of the alarming news
from the troops, and Carranza's mes
sage, was conference" late tonight
at the War Department. between
Secretary Baker and General Bliss,
assistant Chief of Staff. All in
formation as 70 the nature of the
conference was refused, but it was
rot followed by the issuance of any
orders. The President was golfng
in the afternoon, and this evening
went to the Common Counsel Club
dinner. Secretary Lane dined else
where, and neither he nor the Sec
retary Of War saw the President af-
ter receipt OF the Parral news.
Administration officials took pains to
minimize the danger and seriousness Of
the disturbance. Army dispatches, it
was announced, tell OF the death Of only
one American, though the Carranza sd-
vices refer TO "rnany." II was pointed
out, too, that the Carranzs commander
had tried to suppress the tumult. so
that no blame could be attached TO the
Mexican government
Tonight tho situation Of tho Isolated
detachment of cavalry near Parrsl Is
the cause Of some anxiety. Outnum-
bered and possibly beleaguered in .
neighborhood VIGOROUSLY snti-Ameri-
can. and how far from reinforcements
no ono here knows, the troopers may .
be in grave danger which only the
thin and uncertain lines Of communica-
ton from the advance base OF the
American army in Mexico can tell.
No Preparations Made.
The government has let IL be known
that no steps have been taken toward F.
strengthening the border or invading .
forces to-day. The work Of supplying
the deficiencies which existed and OF
completing the equipment Of the force
now in Mexico has been going on. but
nothing more. The Administration has
stuck TO the position II took some weeks
ago, when reports from the border gave
warning tina. there was danger from
the Mexican populace, il not from the
Carranza government, and has refused
TO make any provisions for increasing
the forces on the border or in Mexico.
Il holds that reports Of danger are e1-
aggerated and that 70 take preeau-
.ions would increase whatever danger
there is.
It has not even provided, or made ar
TO provide. equipment for
additional forces If they should be
needed. Even the recruiting Of the ~
600 additional men authorized by Con-
gress has gone on slowly. and up 10
noon last Friday-the last Official re-
port-2.s7e had been enlisted. 1t takes
a, leas, twenty-oue days, and usualiy
,hirty-fve. 10 prepare a man TO JOIN ms
regiment.
A full report OF the Parrsl incident
has been asked Of General Funston. Al
the War Department IT was stated that
II had no dispatches on the subject cx-
copt a rumor transmitted BY General
4 denial of the rumors OK
friction with the general was issued.
The department officials also ex-
pressed the hope tnas the Mexican re-
ports we're Exaggerated. 1t Vas sx-