The Hawaiian gazette., 1916-07-04
American cavalrymen Arrive In
Time To BaIk Raid BY Mexican
Outlaws On Fort Hancock,
and Drive Them Across Line
R0BBER TRAIL LOST BY
YANKEE PURSUING FORCE
General Pershing Reports That
His Command Is NowFuIIy Pre-
pared To Meet Any Attack
Made BY CarranziSta Leaders
A,,Oeiassd Press by Federal wirelo,,)

ASSOCIATED Press by Federal wireless)
DAN ANTONIO, July 3.-Another
raid by Mexicans into American
- territory followed by chase of
the raiders in which American cavalry
again crossed the border into Mexico,
took place yesterday.
The Mexican raid was on Fort Han
cock, and was made by a small force
of bandits, whose only booty was few
horses. The approach of three troops
Of American cavalry put the raiders
to fight, and they did not stop to at
tempt the least resistance. The prompt
ness with which the American mounted
troops arrived on the scene, before the
raiders had more than started their
work, it is pointed out in military cir
cles here shows the effect of the
strengthening Of the forces at the dis
posal of General Funston along the
border.
The American cavalry men did not
hesitate to cross the border in pursuit
of the Mexican raiders. But soon after
entering Mexican territory, they lost
the trail and in accordance with in
structiOns, they returned to the Ameri-
can side. The raiders were only a small
force of bandits, and scattered as they
fled, making pursuit impractical.
Pursuit a Hot One
For time the pursuit was a hot
one, and had American orders allowed
further continuance, it is thought that
some of the bandits might have been
captured. The orders did not permit
the Americans to penetrate far into
Mexican territory.
q Except for the arrivals of a number
of additional militia battaliOns, the
situation along the Mexican border to-
day is unchanged, beyond incidental
border raids and some shooting across
the border at several points where the
American forces are on guard. Gen
eral Funston : reports from all diree-
tons are to the effect that at most
places the situation is quiet.
General Pershing Ready
General Pershing reports to GEN
4 eral Funston that there have been no
further menacing movements by the
Mexicans in the region where his care.
fully guarded camp awaits develop
. ments. Pershing and his men are
maintaining themselves with Mexican
forces on all sides, except in the di-
rection that leads back to the Ameri-
can border, awaiting the results of the
Washington negotiations with Carran-
"a.
When Carranza sends the reply for
which Washington is waiting, if it
proves to be one that stirs the admin
istration to action, it is probable that
4 the force under Pershing will be at
once in the stress of heavy fighting, as
he is subject to attack at any time
from superiOr-siZed forces, on more
than one side. There is speculation as
to whether in the event of hostilities
being ordered, Pershing will make ag-
gressive moves against the Mexicans,
or will begin retirement towards tho
border, seeking achievements.
Communications Open
nyAt present Pershing's lines Of com.
municatiOns are open, and he reports
to Funston only that the situation is
unchanged. 1t is pointed out that,
in leaving the decision with Carranza,
the administration at Washington
places Pershing at disadvantage, as
the Carranza ADM nistration may at
any moment decide upon and begin
war, and have its forces operating
against the more or less isolated Per.
: shing force hours before Pershing
: could know that war had been decided
upon. -,
In q despatch to Funston last night
Pershing said that bis men were in
good spirits, well stationed and ready
, for eVentualities The attitude of the
; Mexican forces, and the manner in
which they have been placed around
} belief that they expect to attack at
any moment.