Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-15

San Antonio. Texas. April 1.-THE
Parral fired We're unarmed. recording
10 an unconfirmed version Of the in
cident current in chihuahua today
and transmitted to General Funston
today.
Two Troopers Killed.
According to this story forty Of the
troopers entered Parral, presumably
TO purchase supplies. and were fired
upon Two were killed and the re-
mainder retreated to the main body
city.
The attacking fore. pursued them
ana We're met by a FIRE from the
Americans. who were using a machine
gun. killing forty MeXicans
According to this story the attack
ing party comprised Carranza soldiers
and civilians.
Report is Credited.
This report OF the Parral incident
was sent by Consul Letcher from Chi
huahua to General Bell at Fl P-zo.
who forwarded it to General Funston
fuH allowance was given by depart
mental officials TO Consul Letcher'F
qualifying words 'unconarmed versir
that was current" in Chihuahua.
there was manifested a dispositio- Il.
credit the report
"
here regarded the story Of the affs IT
as more probable than some of the
versions which have come out of
Mexico It was pointed out that in
previous cases soldiers had entered
towns for the purpose OF buying sup
plies and had been received in .
friendly manner by the residents. aid
that II they had gone into Parral Tor
that purpose, IL was possible that
they went unarmed.
Funston Unable to Get Report.
General Funston continued his e.
forts today to get an officiaI report
from General PerEhins Of the occur
renee but late m the day no word
from him or any other officer in the
expedition had been received. Tho
last he heard from General Pe-Shfnr
was that he was moving south from
Satevo. Il is presumed the comnand-
ing officer of the detachment thnt
report back in the usual manner. first
10 his colonel, who then would trans
nit II to General Pershinz. who in
turn would have to overcome the di--
nculttes of communication BY courier
or aeToplane to 4 wireless station
Keeping Track of Mexican Troops.
General FInston's orders to officers
along the line OF communication TO
guard against attack and TO despatch
scouts to ascertain movements OF any
| body Of troops. whether Carranza's or
Villas. are being carried out along
the entire line, it is understood
Failed to Locate Gomez's Forces.
Lieutenants Gorreu and Darrue in
an aeroplane. scouting for some trace
OF General Gomez's forces that We're
reported preparing to move towards
! Casas Grandes. failed to locate the
I troops but did make what is said to
be new record in army aviation. fly
ing 80 miles in four hours and twcn-
~ minutes. They passed along the
chihuahua Sonora state lire some
distance into the state Of Sonora in
I the neighborhood of Puipitos Pass
/ but saw nothing OF any troops. not
withstanding n close scrutiny CT the
OF 1000 feet.
| General Gomez was at Aqua. Prf-ta.
where he said he was waiting orders
to join I'm the pursuit OF Villa. but
some anxiety had been aroused here
| hy the despatch n few DAYS azo OF A
force in the direction Of tho American
l line Of communication. The search
for that and other forces viii be con-
| tinued.
Funston Has 1900 Men.
Just what precautionary steps have
been taken by General Funston TO
guard the line and meet anv even
| tuality were not revealed. He recaiy-
| ed during the day no new instructions
from the war department II was ad-
mitted here that he has now almost
full authority TO use his own jude
ment in meeting any situation. even
| to sending into Mexico all OF the II. =
| 600 troops along the border but tho
| incident at Parral has not caused him
to alter his opinion that Il would he
unwtse to draw upon that force FOR
support Of the punitive expellftson
leaving unguaried portions Of the
long international boundary line
Short Of a war measure General
Funston would hesitate to use the
railroad between chihuahua and the
border without authority from WASH
ington and no such authority has nee,
given him. IL was authoritatfveIy-
stated today at his headuuarters-