Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-06-21
.UNCONF|RMED
REPORT OF CLASH
Threat of War is Plain in
Wilson's Warning to
Mexico
AN EMBARGO ON ARMS
American Troops Will Remain and
Any Hostile Act Will Meet With
Prompt Punishment

Ell Paso, Tex, June 21- Fighting
has taken place between Carranzista
and United States troops, according
to an unconfirmed report received
early today by an immigration officer
here.
The advance column of cavalry dis
patched south from Namiquipa in
pursuit of bandits, was attacked by
troops of the de facto government,
this report stated.
Gen. George Bell, Jr., command
ing the United States troops in
Ell Paso, said he had no official con-
frmation of the reported attack.
| Bell admitted that he had heard
from Columbus, N. M, base camp,
in regard to the fighting, but that
the Columbus reports also were with
out official confirmation.
Washington, D. c., June 21-The
United States Government will go to
war rather than permit its interna-
tional rights to be longer trampled
upon by Mexican bandits.
This is the plain meaning OF the
note delivered to Eliseo Arredondo,
Ambassador Designate of the Mexican
de facto Government, in reply to the
note, of May %, in which General
Carranza questions the good faith OF
the United States in keeping General
Pershing in Mexico and demands the
immediate withdrawal of his forces,
under threat of "an appeal to arms.
sThe Government of the United
States would surely be lacking in sim
cerity and friendship if it did not
frankly impress upon the de facto
Government that the execution OF
this threat will lead to the gravest
consequences" declares the American
reply.
"While this Government would
deeply regret such a result" the note
continues, "it cannot recede from its
settled determination to maintain its
national righs and to perform its full
duty in preventing further invaslons
of the territory of the United States
and in removing the peril which Am
ericans along the international boun-
dary have borne so long with patti
ence and forbearance.
Speaking of the determination CT
the Administration to continue the
pursuit of bandits, despite Mexican
threats, the note says: ''The United
States Government will not ALLOW
hands of lawless men to establish
themselves upon it's border with Ii
berty to invade and plunder. American
territory with impunity, and, when
pursued to seek safety across the Rio
Grande, replying upon the plea of
their Government that integrity OF
the soil fthe Mexican Republic must
not be violated.
Ell Paso, June 21-The border read
the latest note to General Carranza
and then lapsed back into expectant
waiting. Speculation centered on the
first chiefs reception of the Lansing
document.
A telegram received at the Mexi-
can consulate from the official news
bureau in Mexico City read:
General Carranza, addressing q
patriotic crowd in Mexico City
declared that there would be ne
war with the United States unles:
the United States should send. {
further punitive expedition into Mexi
CO." -
The address referred to is believed
TO be the one mentioned in Mondai
nights dispatch in which General
Carranza was quoted as saying h
did not wish war, but would nc
avoid it to the sacrifice of the nation
al dignity. In some quarters tn
telegram was interpreted as forecast
ing a backdown on the part Of tn
first chief. 1t was pointed oft tina
the United States has no intention o.
sending additional forces into Mexi
co unless new situation arises.