Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-14
SEVENTH CAVALRY
DOES BATTLE WITH
NATIVE MEX|CANS
Reports Regarding Losses
on Both Sides Incomplete
and Contradictory.
FUNSTON ORDERED TO TAKE
ANY NECESSARY STEPS
Effect of Attack on Future Policy
Toward Republic Now Rests
on President Wilson.
GOES BEFORE CABINET TODAY
Practically Certain Immediate Order
to Withdraw Troops Will
Not BE Given.
GOES BEFORE CABINET TO-DAY
Practically Certain Immediate Order
to Withdraw Troops Will
Not BE Given.

WASH NGTON. April 13.-Amcrican
troops in Mexico have had their first
! battle with the natives at the moment
General Carranaa is urging their with
drawal.
On Wedne sday night, while General
Carran1a's note Was on its way TO
Washington. troopers OF the Seventh
Cavalry, under Major Tompkins. were
fired upon in Parral. Villa strong
hold in Western Chihuahua: were pur-
sued TO the suburbs while tho Carranza
garrison took doubtful part in the
atfray, and were attacked again during
! tho night.
COMPLETf: REPOtTS OF LOSSES
TO AMERICANS ARE LACI<ING
Complete reports regarding the losses
| to tho American troops or the McNicans
/ had not reached Washington tonight.
Secretary Baker advised President Will
| son that IL brief message to the War
| Department advised that. according to
unofficial messages. one capalryman
was killed and that the troopers used
| the machine guns against the MeNi-l
cans
| Secretary Baker said he had ordered
!
necessary to prevent further trouble.
| Asked whether this might mean the
enforced use of Mexican railways for
the movement OF soldiers and supplies.
! he said General Funston was on the
! ground and would act as amy cmer-
Scncy required. The secretary en-
pressed the hope. however. that The
trouble at Parral Was purely local, and
did not presasc further difficulties
General tarranza, directing his en-
| bassy here TO point out that the clash
proved his contention that Tho prcs-
encr of American troops in Mexico is
leading to situation which threatens
to go beyond his control. tclegraphed
| that many deaths had occurred on
! both sides"
Foreign Minister Asuilar in a dis
patch sent before that from General
was killed and several civilians
| wounded.
WIRES THAT SEVERAL. ARE
KILLED On ROTH SIDES
Consul Garcia, Carranza agent at FL
l'aso. wired the embassy that several
persons were killed ON both sides"
| The dispatch added that when the
| American troopers entered Parral tho
"a
! garrison did also"
| This latter statement is in direct con-
tradiction to the dispatches of Car
! ranza and Aguilar. which declared the
! tarranHa troops attempted TO hold back
! the Mexican mob. y report to the
state Department from Consul i.ctchcr.
at chihuahua. forwarded through Gem
I erai Funston. said there had been some
trouble at Parral when the American
column was tired upon by Mexican
civilians.
! The state and War Departments. re-
ceiving from the Mexican embassy
their first information that the clash
had been serious, at ONCE sent ont
orders for full report. II had not
hccn received tonight.
! tpon President Wilson rests the de-
cision Of what effect the attack on th.
administrations Mexican policy shall
be. whether it will have bearing on
consideration Of Carranzas proposal
for withdrawal of the troops and.
finally. whether Carranga's PROPOSAL
shall be accepted. rejected or ncgoti-
, atcd Members Of his Official family
Indicated Tonight that il practically
| was certain no Immediate order for
withdrawal OF the expedition seeking
VIA would he given. The subject VIII
; he laid before the Cabinet tomorrow.
! liecausc OF the serious turn i'm the
! Mexican situation and the gravity OF
the submarine issue with Germany. the
president Cancelled an ngagcment 10
go TO New York tomorrow night and
! speak there on Saturday night.
CONGRESS MAY SHOW
irS FEELING TO-DAY
CONGRESS will moi have an opnnr,,,r