The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-04-13
SOLDIERS HUNGRY
BUT KEEP UP CHASE
(Continued from page ~

Continued from page H.
here. American troops may bring the
campaign in Mexico to successful
conclusion by capturing Villa.
General Carranza made no demand
on the United States for the imme-
date withdrawal Of American troops,
| expressing merely desire to begin
negotiations on that subject. The text
OF the Carranza note suggests that II
was meant largely for home consump-
ton and was shrewd move by the
first chief to check any growing dis
satisfaction in his own country be-
cause of the continued presence OF
American troopers on Mexican soil.
| The leisurely manner in which the
Carranza government has been con-
Quoting negotiations with the state de-
partment since the troops entered
Mexico, leads to the belief that no
| haste will be made in diplomatic eX-
changes. Mexican sources today de-
clared there was no cause for alarm
! in border reports of mobilization OF
CarranZa troops in the north near
| Texas and New Mexican borders. War
Minister Obregon several days ago is
| sued orders for the sending of 5000
additional troops into Chihuahua to
prevent Villa from reaching the
mountains of Sonora. 1t was pointed
out that the natural centers of mob
| ilization for these forces lay in the
north, rather than at southern points
from which they would have to be
transported to Chihuahua
Fired on Our Soldiers.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, April 13.-
American soldiers believed to be a
part of Major Tompkins' command,
were fired upon by Carranzistas sol
diers and citizens while passing
| through Parral, according to official
reports from Consul Letcher at Chi
huahua City today. There were no
casualties, Letcher reported. The
date OF the occurrence was not men,
toned. Letchers advices were re-
eeived direct from General Gutierrez,
the Carranzista commander at Par
raj, whose tone was believed to indi-
cate resentment at the presence Of
Americans so far south in Mexico.
Following receipts of adyices,
Major General Funston called atten-
ton to the lack Of cooperation by
Carranzfstas in the search for Pancho
Villa. He derided Gutierrez claim
that the appearance of the Americans
took the Parral soldiers and civilians
by surprise.
The. Carranzistas have twice allow
ed Villa to slip through their lines,
Funston pointed out, once only re-
Gently, when the bandit was reported
walled in to the south by a strong
Gordon Of de facto troops reported
spread east and west of Parral. Fun
ston cited that a state of war has
long existed between Carranzistas
and Villistas and that therefore there
should have been outposts and
scouts about Parral to warn against
possible Vil,ista surprise attacks.
A surprise is practically impossible
stated.
1t was considered evident at head
quarters that Gutierrez held the
Americans responsible for the shoot
ing.
Letcher's advices were interpreted
at headquarters to mean the de facto
forces never expected the Americans
would penetrate as far as Parral.
Some attaches went even further,
stating the Mexicans intended to pre-
vent such great strides by the expe-
dictionary forces.
Letcher's dispatches did not make
clear whether the American troops
returned the fire. He reported the
force numbered about 14O men and
stated they paid little attention to
the shooting. The same dispatches,
however, mentioned an Exchange of
shots" At headquarters it was not
certain whether the term was applied
to shooting between the soldiers and
citizens or return fire by the expedi-
tionary troops.
Following receipt Of the advices,
will continue the Villa hunt until or
dered by the war department to re-
turn or until the object is accom-
plished in Villas death or capture.
No official word had been received as
to the Carranzista note to the state
asking the expeditions
and Funston is proceed
ing as though no such action had
been suggested.
The American commander asserted
full confidence in the ability of thu
Am orleans to take care OF them
selves, even il their source of sup
plies should be cut of through pos
sible diplomatic developments. they
are prepared for any eventual ty,
Funston declared.
After Letcher's reports came, Fur
ston declined to comment on An,eIi-
can troop movements reported in pro-
gress to meet forces of Carranzistas
moving through Chihuahua.
The CaFrahzistas, according to an
earlier statement from Funston, are
merely taking advantageous positions
from which to repel assaults against
the American lines Of communication
The nature of the reported American
movement was not given out |
Army Men Discuss Situation.
COLUMBUS, N. M, April 10
high military official
It the base camp here today ex-
PRESSED the belief that it was inadvis- !
,bIa For tho hnor{cap troOnq Tn with |