The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-07-01
FIGHT WAS BEGUN
BY THE MEXICANS
Gomez Force Attempted TO Sur
round Americans at Carri-
Eel During Farley.
PERSHING SENDS IN REPORT
Can't. BOYD and Lieut.. Adair of Tenth
Cavalry Among Dead-MiIitia
to Move.

San Antonio, Tex, June 23.-Strag-
glers from the Tenth Cavalry detach-
ment that was in the fight at Carrizal
arrived at Generl Pershing's head
quarters today and told him that the
fighting began with an unprovoked
attack on the Americans at the con-
cIusion of a parley with the Mexican
commander. General Pershing trans
mitted their story to General Funston
tonight. who Immediately referred 1t
to the War Department.
The men were unable to tell any
thing regarding the casualties, or even
the later phases of the engagement.
They retreated during the fight, be-
came separated from their commands,
making, their way back to the Ameri-
can lines.
Two Cavalry Troops In 1t.
Two troops of the Tenth Cavalry,
Company H, commanded by Capt.
Charles T. Boyd, and Company K,
commanded by Capt Louis Morey,
comprised the detachment that ar
rived within a mile of CarriZal at
o'clock Wednesday morning. They had
stopped 81 Ojo de Santo Domingo on
the previous night, resuming their
march toward the east at o'clock
the next morning.
From their position in front of Car
rial the commander of the detach-
ment believed by General Pershing
to have been Captain Boyd, since he
was senior in rank to Captain Morey,
sent forward a Mexican guide to OBJ
tain from the commander of the Mex
lean garrison there permission to pass
through the town.
Tried to Surround Americans.
Cen Felix Gomex sent back word
by the guide that the Americans
might pass through if they would con
sent to a parley. Without waiting
for the commander of the American
force to reply General Gomez, accom-
panied by an aide, appeared and the
American officer rode forwrd to talk
with him.
While they were talking, the men
said, the Mexican troops moved for
ward in force and deployed in such
manner that there appeared danger
of the American force being surround
ed. One of the men who had beer
holding the horses of the American
officer and the man who had riddeI
forward with him, said the American
officer appeared to protest agains
the positions General Gomez's troop:
were taking.
Mexicans Attacked First.
A few minutes lateJr General Go
mez rode off towards one end of the
Mexican line and Immediately afte:
getting there the Mexicans began the
attack, sweeping the American line
with a machine gun.
1t was not until then, according tt
the stragglers, that the American
commander gave orders for boil
troops to dismount and return the
fire.
Western Troops First.
Washington, June 22.-Orders tt
the national guard of Missouri, Kan
sas and California to be ready to en-
train for the Mexican border as sooI
as possible were dispatched today b!
the War Department.
As fast as the different state mill
tia units can be equipped they viii
be sent to the border, Secretary Ba
ker said this morning following a con
ference with President Wilson.
Secretary Baker announced toda!
that the department is endeavoring t.
get the California, Missouri and Kan
sas militia to the border immediate
ly There are about eight THOUSAND
men in the three bodies.
A War Department official said tn
actual order to the three states mill
tia has not been given, but that thes
forces would be sent to the borde
just as soon as they could be put o.
trains with their equipment.
All the Militia to Go.
81 expect we will have to get pre-
ty much all the militia ordered on
collected down there pretty soon"
Not Vet Fully Equipped.
The War Department would Civ
no estimate early today as to exactI
how soon the three organization
would entrain for the border. The
will not start, it was said, however
until their equipment is complete
When they are ready it will be onl
a matter of hours till they can reac
their border stations, railroad schet
ules having been prepared with rol
ing stock in readiness.