The Washington times., 1916-04-16

The first official report on the Parral
attack. and the first news from General
Pershng In five days. reached the
War Department just before last mid
night. Secretary Baker in outlining the
contents of tho report said:
"A telegram from General Funston
quotes telegram from General Per-
shing to the erect that he had Just re-
ceiyed information of an unproVoked
attack upon American soldiers who mad
entered Parral to buy supplies. HIS
information is that two American SOL
diers and forty Mexicans were Sllled'
but no further details had been re-
ported at the time.
General Fershing also reports that
he has given full information to Cen
eral Herrera as to the position, dlrec-
ton and general destination OF our
troops pursuing villa. He has sent py
aeroplane for tull particulars.
The report from General Pershing that
II was an "unprovoked' attack upon
American soldiers takes sharp issue with
the report made by General ABuilar,
CarranZa's foreign secretary, VINO sara
an American force Of $50 entered Parral
against the warnings OF the civil COM
manders, and in violation or the agree
mcnt made with Carranza that MeM-
can towns would be avoided.
Waiting for Supplemental Report.
War Department officials are await
ing n supplemental report from General
Funston for full particulars. Anxiety
was alIayed as to the fate of General
Pcrshing when Funston was able TO get
in communication with him, but fears
are still felt for the cavaIrymen under
Colonel Brown, who were attacked at
Par.al
REGARDLESS of the plans of the state
De partment to negotiate with Carranza
for the withdrawal of the American
Il GODS, Secretary Baker insists there
is no present intention OF giving up the
! Villa pursuit.
In a prepared statement. MIR. Baker
said the status of the expedition into
Mexico Is as II was in the beginning,
| in cordial cooperation with the de facto
government In Mexico" Mr.. BakeI
added that this cooperation continues
| and the expedition continues"
There has been no change in the or
ders,". he continued. "and none Is con-
| tenn lated
Djsconcerting news that 5,tOO Car
rsnzistas are in tho mountain last
ncsses oil Sonora had disquie.tng ef-
| feet The War Department Is watch
ins the situation closely. 1t may r'can,
1t was said. merely preparations for
assisting the Villa hunt. however. II
1
position to stI Ike at American n conmu-
nication lines II further trouble dNel
| ops.
No Illusions on Cooperation.
General Funs.oE's Characterization OF
the treachcrous assault on the Ameri.
Can cavGlry at Parral as an "unpro-
voked attack" makes It apparent to army
officers that Funston holds no Illusions
as TO the measure Of cooperation nc
may expect from the Mexican people In
tho pursui. Of Villa.
Tho fact that bodies Of troops ar,
being masscd between Pershins's base
and the American border Is viewed by
army officers as evidence that Carran2s
is less intent upon catching Villa thar
he is upon making a threatening dem
| onstration to induce the Withdrawal
| OF the American forces.
| If Carranza really was in earnest II
his efforts to subdue the Villistas, army
officials believe, he would have beer
able to check the bandits southern
| flight while the United States army
forces were upon Villas heels.
Administration officials would maxi
no comment today on suggestions b,
Senator Fall OF New Mexico, now oil
the border, that a regiment OF Texans
be organized for service In Mexico.
All officials would say that no order
have been sent to call out the militia