The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1916-06-22
General Boil 1eady For Action

WO00xd4 0oA 1oH1y 3O6 ACkAOQ
General George Bell, Jr.. who was
ffrst Informed of thetzfght by Mex;caff
Consul, said that no military actin
would be taken. in Ell Passo while orders
were awaited from General Funston. In
the meantime he said his forces were
ready for any demonstration from the
other side Of the Rio Grade.
General Bell said there was no ques-
ton but a fight had taken place, but was
inclined to disbelieve that any Ameri-
cans had been taken prisoners.
Later General Francisco Gonzales,
Mexican commander 1t Juarez gave out
= statement in which he announced off,
cially, that the Mexican command had
taken IL American prisoners. He also
said that General Gomez's death had
been confirmed, but said he had no Off
cia1 report as to the number of casualties
on either side.
Gonzales Blames Americans.
The wounded, both American and Mex
lean, the exact number of whom Is not
known here, were AIKEN to Villa -Ahulna-
da-
General Francisco Gonzales made The
following statement: u
Immediately upon learning Of the pres
ence Of American troops in the vicinity
of Carrizal, General Felix Gomez lis
patched a messenger with a request that
the American commander Withdraw ia
his camp. When the American troops
remained motionless he sent a second
dispatch bearer who was fired IN ny the
American troops after he delivered the
message. The Americans Immediately
moved Forward and attacked Gonlaz's
command.
"All the prisoners admitted that the
blame should be put on the American
for having ordered the attack. The
prisoners were sent to Chihauhau City
with the customary protection
General Gonzales said that the report
of the engagement vas made to him by
1t. Col. Oveso Rivas, who succeeded t.
the command Of the Carranzistas with
the fall Of General Gomez.
Battle Follows Presidsut's Rsbuke
The battle occurred only a few hours
after President Wilson's 5000 word re.
buke yesterday to General Carranza haG
gone forward to Mexico City. With
which side victory rested is not known.
The engagement took place on the
Santo Domingo ranch near the Mexican
field headquarters in northern Gin: .au
/. hua.
!. For some reason, General Gonzales
Carranza commander Of the military
zone Of the border, kept the story secret
till late this afternoon, when J. G. Hub.
! bell. an American returning 70 the boz.
der form the interior, brought to e
+ .Paso the news that he had seen n nun
Y Of Mexicans lead along the Mexican
II Central railroad track at, Villa Ahuma
Il da, and had been told there had been a.
n encounter with the 'gingoes."
N lays Americans Fired on Courier
II General Gonzales first step after con
the news was to issue a statement 3lac'
q ing ethe blame on the American com
n mander. He charged that the American
I troops fired first on the Mexicans, ant
that their shots were directed at q cour
* Ter who a just presented to them
II request that they retire.
American army officers declared abso
n lutte disbelief tonight in Gen. Gonzales
Il assertion. The opinion was expressed
NJ that If the Americans fired on the Mex
leans they did so because it was nee
N esssary to insure their own safety.
Sg@s General Trevino's recent warning *
#S@ General Pershing not to send his troop.