Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-14
(By Morning Journal Special Leased Wire)


troops In Mexico have had their first
battle with the natives at the moment
General Carranza Is urging their with
drawal
on Wednesday night while General
note was on Its way to
troops of the Seventh
cavalry under Major Tompkins, were
fired upon in parral, a villa strong
hold In western chihuahua; were pur-
sued TO the suburbs while the Car
rama garrison took a doubtful part
in the affray, and were attacked again
during the night
Complete information regarding tho
losses To the American troops or 60
the Mexcans has not reached Wash
ngton tonight Secretary Baker in
formed President Wilson that brief
dispatch 10 the war department said
that, according to unofficial reports,
one American cavalryman was killed
and that the troops used a machine
gun against the Mexicans.
Free Hand fo Funston.
Mr.. Baker announced later that he
had ordered General Funston To take
any steps that might be necessary Ia
prevent further trouble When ask
ed whether this might mean the en-
forced use of Mexican railroads for
the movement Of soldiers and sup
plies, he said General Funston was on
the ground and would act in any
emergency. The secretary expressed
the hope. however, that the trouble
al parral was purely local and did not
presage further difficulties
General Carran2a, directing his em-
bassy here to point out that the clash
proved his contention that the pres
ence of American troops In Mexico Is
leading to situation which threatens
to go beyond his control, telegraphed
that many deaths had occurred on
both sides
Foreign Minister Aguilar. in dis
patch sent before that from General
Carranza, said one American trooper
was killed and several citizens were
wounded.
Garrison Also Protested.
Consul Garcia. the Carranza agent
at El Pnso, wired the embassy that
Several persons were killed on both
sides" His dispatch added that when
the American troopers entered Parral
"the people protested and 1t appears
the garrison did also"
This latter statement Is in direct
Carranza and Aguilar, which declared
tho carranza troops attempted to hold
back the Mexican mobs A report to
the state department from Consul
Letcher at chihuahua, forwarded
through General Funston, said there
had been some trouble at Parral,
when the American column was fired
upon by Mexican civilians,
TIE state and war departments, re-
ceiving from the Mexican embassy
their first information that the clash
had been a serious one, at once sent
out orders for full report II had
not been received tonight.
No Immediate Withdrawal.
Upon President Wilson rests the
decision Of what the effect of the at
tack upon the administration policy
shall be; whether IT shall have a bear
ing on consideration of Carranza' s.
proposal for the withdrawal of the
troops, and finally whether Carranza $
proposal shall be accepted, rejected
or negotiated. Members OF his offic-
ial family Indicated that it was prac-
tically certain no immediate order for
withdrawal Of the expedition seeking
| villa would he issued. The subject
/ will be laid before the cabinet tomor-
/ row. Because of the serious turn III
/ the Mexican situation and the gray
! uy of the submarine issue with Ger
many. the president cancelled an en-
| gagement to go to New York tomor-
row night aud speak there saturday
night
Congress May Act.
/ Congress will not have am oppor.
tunity to show It's feelings until II
meets at noon tomorrow News OF
the attack on American troops reach
ca the capitol too late for the senate
or house to hear about Il before they
adjourned for the day.
| Carranza's proposal for the with
drawal OF the expedition, however
seemed to meet the general sentiment
that the administration should be lei
| free to handle the situation for the
present Whether the attack on tbs
| troops will alter that view remains
I for tomorroW's Development
Tonight the situation of the isolat
ed detachment is the cause of som'
anxiety. Outnumbercd and possibly
'bcleaguered In ambush In a motor
iouslv anti-American district and nov
far from reinfOrcements no one here
knows, the troops may be in grave
danger which only the thin and un
certain army lines of communicatiof
from the advance bases OF the Amer
lean army in Mexico can tell.
Story of Attack.
The story OF the attck upon then