Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-18
FIGHT TAKES PLACE
WITH MEXICAN BANDITS
Detachment Of Third Cavalry, on
Hot Trail" Engages Force
Which Raided San Benito.
EXCITEMENT AMONG LATINs
Arms Being Distributed to Civilians
By De Facto Government In
Preparation for Hostilities
With Americans.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, June II.
War between the United States
and Mexico was regarded by
officers at army headquarters
here tonight as almost unavoid-
able.
.Carranza consul, J. Z. Garza,,
stationed. at Brownsville, de-
livered early tonight Gen. Alfredo
Ricaut's ultimatum to Gen. James
Parker, Brownsville commander.
that unless the Anderson puni-
tive expedition, sent over the
border today, were withdrawn an
attack would be made by Car
rama troops. Immediately after
ward Consul Garza closed the
consulate and moved to Mata-
moros.
Gen. Ricaut stated any expedi-
ton whatever that crossed the
border would be attacked and
that opportunity was presented
today, when more than three
hundred men of the Sd Cavalry
crossed the river below Browns
vile in pursuit of bandits that
attacked "a little detachment of
the 10Th Infantry at San Benito
last night.
Fifteen hundred men. boys and even
girls were patroiling the streets Of
1fatamoros tonight under full arms.
which had been distributed to them
today by Gen. Alfredo Ricaut. COM
mander of the Carranza garrison
there, according to a Brownsville dis
patch Intense excitement prevails
with the presence of American troops
ten miles outside of the town.
Cavalry Discovers "Hot Trail"
Gen. James Parker. commanding at
Brownsville. sent cavalry scouting the
country in the vicinity Of San Benito
and on hot trail" discovered by
Lieut. Newman. commanding Troop II.
the Americans were sent toward the
border. The trail led across the river
and Lieut.. Newman and his troops
crossed late in the forenoon.
Mai Anderson with a squadron Of the
same regiment and a machine gun COM
pany closed in on the trail. and early
In the afternoon followed the lieuten-
ant and his troops into Mexico. He was
too late for the hsht and skirmish that
had taken place. Troop H engaged the
bandits Immediately after getting on
one WAS injured.
The bandits ned without great resist
Ance. but the pursuit was continued
Late today Maj. Anderson had moved
his force up the river toward Mata
moros. the Mexican town opposite
Brownsville. He was still on the Mexi-
can side tonight.
Gen. Parker reported that he had
sent to Consul Garza in Brownsville a
note informing him that American
troops had crossed the International
Boundary in conformity with the spirit
Of the agreement between the two
countries authorizing the passage Of
troops when in pursuit Of bandits. He
also called the attention of the consul
to the fact that the bandits had been
chased back to a district which Ameri-
can authorities some time ago had in
sisted WAS a rendezvous Of bandits and
outlaws. Consul Cara replied. ac-
note. adding that he knew what 1t
meant and expressed his deep regret.
Report on San Benito Attack.
Gen. Parker reported to the depart
ment headquarters the attack on the
detachment of the 2sth Infantry last
uight. but II was not until late today
that ne supplemented this with any in
formation as to the measures he had
taken TO run down the attacking party.
HE first report brought the news that
. detachment Of cavalry jhad entered
Mexico. Gen. Parker has ordered the
I'd Battalion of the Sd Texas Regiment
from San Benito to Brownsville Other
precauttSnary troop movements were
made
His action In not reporting was indica.
tive Of the character OF orders that the
con'lnandinE onlcsr acs. on the border order has
hand OF raiders and TO follow them
ACROSS the International boundary line II
fhere appears a reasonable ~ chance Of
The raid on the camp Of the small in
fsnfry force at San Benito resulted In
one Mexican being killed: The band Of
raiders is not believed to have been more
thss thirty. The engagement on the Msx-
ican side OF the river was. from q mill.
iery point OF view. insignincant. but
army o6icsrs pointed out tonight the ne
csssity Of running the bandits down oncs
riae chase has been begun.
onaftsrs was evident. There were no IN
6icakions that orders would be sent tf
09u Parifsy to withdraw Maj. Ander
/, f1rcs would be strengthsnsd
YFon here Cen Funston and his stat
gre regarding carefully not onl,
EyovnsStlis and the country beyond