The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-06-18

WASHINGTON, June 17.-while Sec
re;ary OF War Baker was in confer
ence with the President tonight a re-
port was received OF serious fighting
between American and Mexican forces
on the Mexican side of the border near
Brownsville. Tex.
The official report stated that fo'-
lowing the clash earlier to-day be-
tween Americans and Mexicans at
san Benito, Tex. Col. Bullard. who
commanded the American force. sent
Lieut.. a. ID. Newman with small
force in pursuit with instructions to
pick up the trail Of the retiring Mext-
cans.
The trail was found. and, acco' ding
TO the despatch from Gen. Funston. I:
was being followed across the border
with every anticipation OF a fight
Fifty bandits. according 10 the des-
patch, comprised the Mexican force
NHeI u CTtSStu the river INTO MtNlfD
Secretary Baker mad gone to see the
President for the purpose OF layn.,
before him the official report of the eN-
change of notes between Gen. Per-
shing and Gen. Trevino. the Mexican
military commander in northern Mex
leo.
Despite the indications OF Secretary
Baker that no order has been issu d
for additional troops on the border IL
was declared tonight in other Ad-
ministration quarters that the Presi-
dent is prepared TO despatch more aid
and to call out the rest of the Ma
tional Guard II Gen. Funston so rec
ommends.
Gen. Pershing replied. il is under
stood. that he did not recognize Tre-
vino as one from whom he was to
take orders concerning the movement
of his troops. although Secretary Ba-
ker has refused to make public the
text of the communications exchanged.
VIII Not give Plans.
Secretary Baker denied that Gen.
Funston had reported that he expected
trouble AT all points along the border to-
right, but he refused to say whether he
or Gen Pershng had asked for reen-
Iorcements. or whether more troops were
10 be sent across at Brownsville to re-
enforce the American troops sent out in
pursuit OF the san Benito raiders.
The Secretary said ne did not have
''in immediate contemplation" the calling
out of any additional National Guards
men, or the ordering OF any more regu-
lars to the border.
Regarding the exchanges between Gen.
Pershlng and Gen, Trevno Secretary
Baker said Il do no, anticipate any
immediate trouble from this situation
Officials OF the War Department. lack
ing full details of to-night's develop
ments near Brownsville, are unable 10
Judge whether they resulted from the
threats contained in the Trevino COM
munication. At the same time Secretary
Baker indicated rather positively that In
consequence OF the Mexican comma ander' $
threats there has been no change what
ever in the orders to Gen. Funston. which
are to protect the border and to pursue
any force that invades American ter.
ii.ory,
He further indicated that Gen. Perish
ing's orders are unchanged. although II
is regarded as probable here that Perish
ing VIII DO nothlng 10 provoke ciasn
Officials here are more than ever con.
vinced that the Mexicans engaged in the
rt cent raids are Carranza soldiers and
are operating with the deliberate pur'
pose OF inviting trouble between the two
countries.
Reporting further details Of the fight
bet ween American troops and Mexicans
at San Ignacio on June II Major Gray
who commanded the America ntroops
stated to-day that on the body Of one
Of the Mexicans killed were papers bear
ing the stamp Of the Carranza Govern
ment and Identifying the de2d Mexican
AS Major Cruz Ruiz OF the Carranza
Amy.
A paper taken from the blouse Of an
ether Mexican victim showed him I,
ha We been a Lieutenant In the Carranxs
army AZ late as May. lelS Major Ora.