Albuquerque morning journal., 1916-06-19
TEN ANS NSTONISHIID AT
RETURN OF EXPEDITION

San Antonio. Tex. June 1S.--Gen-
eral James Parker withdrew from
Mexico today the several hundred
American troops he had sent in near
Brownsville yesterday in pursuit Of
bandits that had attacked a small de-
tachment of infantry on the Ameri-
can side the night before.
On the way out armed men. char
aeterized by Parker as bandits, opened
a sniping fire on the retreating col
umn, making necessary a light rear
guard action, resulting in the killing
of two of the attacking party and
the wounding of two others None of
the Americans were hit,
General Parker's explanation to
General Funston of his withdrawal,
was that he regarded the dispersal Of
the bandits the object of the expedi-
tion as accomplished.
Unconcealed establishment was
shown at the department headquarters
when it was learned that the Ameri-
cans were back on this side of the
line, although there was displayed no
disposition to criticize General Park
er II was realized that a longer stay
on the Mexican side probably would
have caused clash between the
Americans and the troops of the de
facto government.
General Parker's order to Major
Edward Anderson, which was to move
his troops back into Texas, came after
an exchange of messages by him and
Genera Rieaut. through Consul Gar
"a. General Ricaut plainly told the
American general that the force,
which he regarded as an invading
force. would be attacked unless it
withdrew.
General Parker replied that the bel.
ligerent attitude of the Mexican Of
ficer was the best way to guarantee
the continuation Of the presence of
the American soldiers in Mexico. He
told him that il attacked they would
stay and gave him to understand that
in that case reinforcements would be
sent in numbers sufficient to with
stand any force General Ricaut might
bring up to oppose them,
General Ricaut became more con-
clliatory after receiving General Park
er's communication and began clear
ing the Mexican troops from the
route the Americans would have to
traverse on their way home. When
the arrangements were completed
General Parker sent orders to Major
Il nd 40 T3pfn
government troops were reported not
to have molested the Americans. Cen
eral Ricaut asserted his ability and
intention to run down the bandits
The withdrawal Of the American
troops was regarded by most army Of
ficers here as having warded off
clash, but il was feared that the
precedent of quick Withdrawal
might make more difficult similar op-
erations along the border when j,
again becomes necessary to chase ban
dts across the line into Mexico
Few if any Of the officers here be-
leve that the raids had ended ana
General Funston and his staff We're
studying carefully all reports affecting
the situation in which General Persh
ing has been placed, the reports OF
anti-American demonstrations IN Mex
leo, unexplained movements Of MeXi-
can troops and the news of disturb
ances along the Arizona border Inc
military machinery was gone over
carefully today by staff officers ana
if any overt act of Carranza's troops
should make ii necessary. il could he
SET in motion without loss of time.
News that President Wilson had
called out the state militia was re-
ceived in press dispatches by Cen
eral Funston He had long insisted
that ne be given additional troops nol
only 10 assist the regular troops IN
patrollmg the border, but to be IN
readiness 10 play a part in bigger op-
erations that might be undertaken Al
any time