New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-30
MEXICANS FIRE
ON PRESIDE
Attack Is Feared =
$4,000 Move On
Pershing.

Ell Paso. Tex, June 29.-Appeals for
reinforcements were made to-day by
American troops on patrol duty at
Presidio in the Big Bend district OF
Texas, and additional troops were
rushed to Preside from Alpine in mo-
tor trucks. Telepone messages from
Presidio to Major Butler. at Alpine
said that Carranza soldiers of the OIL
naga garrison, opposite, were firing on
the American troop patrol and were
moving to attack Preside
The distance from Alpine to Preside
is more than eighty miles through
semi-desert region with no roads, ard
it will take the reinforcements twenty
four hours of hard driving to reach
the scene. Until they arrived the small
detachment of soldiers at Preside Will
be assisted by citizens, and 1T IS be-
lieved aid also has been sent from other
border patXols above and below Presi-
dio.
There are five times ss many Mex
leans as Americans in Preside, and the
Mexicans, it is feared, will aid the Car
rama soldiers in attacking the town.
Most of the Mexican residents are
former Villistas who have been driven
across the border from time TO time by
the Carranza troops, but now are
friendly 10 the Carranzlstas because
of the MexicanAmerican crisis.
Eager to Attack Americans.
Oiinaga has six hundred Carranza
soldiers in the garrison, all bitter
against Americans and eager to at
tack them. Twice within the last
month the Carranzistas rebelled be-
cause their commander would not sane
tion an attack on Preside Presidio
residents report that the commander,
Colonel Rios, is taking part in the hr-
ing on the town from across the river
Texas militia mustered into the reg
ular army are doing patrol duty IN the
Big Bend country, and the officers are
well acquainted with Mexican methods.
II ia not believed that they will be over
come by the larger Mexican force, but
that they probably will meet the MeXi-
cans half way in any hostile move the
latter may make.
Every military resource of the Car
rama government is being used IN an
effort to envelop General Pershings
position in such way as TO make II I'M
possible for the American force 20 move
in any direction without being com
PEELED to fight larger force OF Mexi-
More than 5000 Carranza soldiers
are moving in on the American base TO-
NIGHT 20 menace General Pershing, and
10 attempt to intimidate him. In add
tion. 10000 Carranzistas from sonora
are being moved rapidly toward Colonla
Dublan through Pulpit Pass, with the
evident purpose OF cutting the Amerl-
can line of communication anG torc-
ing the Americans to fight their way 70
the border. should they start 10 WITH
draw from Mexico.
Mexicans Menace Pershing.
American scouts have found that
,hora are 10000 Mexicans massed at
Rnstillos. At Guzman, between Juarez
and the American base, are 2,OOO mole,
AT villa Ahumada more than l2,OOO,
and 1000 Villista volunteers nave been
sent in close 70 the American lines as
an added menace.
General Pershing, it is said, is aware
Of these moves and has arranged ms
forces TO prevent surprise attack.
New Mexico militia companies have
been sent from Columbus to assist IN
guarding the line Of communication
and il is said a heavy force Of rein
forcements is held ready to rush IN
when needed.
American army men on the border
are convinced that the Carranza gov
eminent is planning an attempt at re,
taliation for the forcing by the United
States of the surrender of the soldiers
captured at Carrizal. The release OF
the prisoners has been a severe blow to
the pride of the Mexicans. II IS de-
clared, and Mexican officers especially
are bitter because Of IL.