Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-18
WASHINGTON DOUBTS
THAT VILLAS BODY
HASYET BEEN FOUND
Mexican Embassy Is Without
Additional Information, Last
Report Said Garcia Seeking
Details
NV Associated PresS.N

WASHINGTON, April las the
hours pass without confirmation of the
story of the finding of the body of
Francisco Villa, Washington grows
more doubtful
Villas body Wis 60 have reached Chi
huahua City by special train. some time
last night, but American Consul Letcher
has not even forwarded the rumors as
to Villas death winch must be circulat-
ing there
The Mexican embassy here had no adj
ditional information. Its last report from
Consul Garcia at FL Paso said he was
seeking confirmation.
State and war department officials
refused to comment today on General
Pershing's report of the Parral fight.
which is much different from the ver-
sion transmitted by General Carranzs
to support his suggestion that American
troops be withdrawn. The American re-
port shows that Carranza troops not
only joined in the attack upon the lit
tie detachment of Americans, but fol-
flowed them several miles as they withS
| drew to avoid a clash. The majority Of
the Mexicans killed are reported by Gen
eraI Pershing to have been Carranza
soldiers, one of whom was an officer.
1t was indicated at the state depart
ment that further details would be
south from American officers before a
reply would be sent to General Car
rama. Secretary Lansing planned orig
inally TO deal with the Parral incident
as separate question: not in the reply
to the note suggesting the recall o.
the American expedition.
The reply to the Carranza proposal
| for withdrawal was still in preparation
| today. 1t will outline the terms under
which the United States will discuss tie
withdrawal of it's forces and until re-
port of Villas death has been confirm
ed no change in the program will be
made.
II was rkasserted today that should,
the body be identified as that of Villa,
the expedition would come out of Mex
leo at once No instructions have ye-
been sent to On
eral Pershing however, as to the iden-
tihcation to be required. None will go
some report.
Early reports saying that the ban
dts body had been dug up from a two
weeks old grave by a nephew of Gen1
eraI Ca-ranZa and was being taken to
I:Chihuahua City, focused attention on
American Consul Letcher at that place.
Oficials looked to him to throw light
on ne VI u the many re-
ports regarding Villas death and also
to promptly identify the body if posi-
BILE.
President Wilson and Secretary Baker
had before them today the first direct
official, information fthe attack on
American soldiers at ParraL 1t was a
report from Brigadier General Pershing
aud while it relieved fears that the
American cavalry force had been wiped
out it INDICATED that the incident was
far more serious than was at first sup
posed. The report said that 300 Car
rama soldiers joined civilians in the at
tack The casualties were two Ameri-
cans killed and six wounded, including
Major Frank Tompkins. Slightly wound
cd: forty Mexican soldiers killed. ono
civilian wounded.
Secretary Baker today received dis
patch from Naco saying that General
Villa was last seen heading il nc di- ,
Iection of the place whe.c .---.,; yes
terGay said he was buried. The dispatch
was taken by war department officials
tc mean that the reports of Villas death
might be true The dispatch was i'm
mediately sent to President Wilson.