Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-29
President Wilson Said to Have
Already Demanded Surrender
of Negro Prisoners Captured
In Battle of CarrizaI and Dis
avoWal of Attack.
BREAK REGARDED NEAR
President and Congress Pre-
pared to Act Within "a Hours
When Facts About Massacre
Are Fully Observation-Disclosures
Hope Slim.

Washington, D. c., June "a
Relation between the United
States and the defactog overnment
Of Mexico are close to the break
ing point today as a result of the
belief that two troops Of American
cavalry were massacred Wednes-
day at Carrizal by Carranza SOL
diers.
Secretaries Lansing and Baker
were at the White House early,
comforting with President Wilson.
1t is known that the possibility
of drastic retaliatory measures
measures against the Mexican
forces in Chihuahua was given
grave consideration.
If the Carranza government ac-
cepts responsibility for the attack
at Carrizal, it is considered very
certain by officials that occupa-
ton Of most of northern Mexico
will be ordered by President Will
son to take place as rapidly as the
necessary military forces can be
placed at the disposal of General
Funston.
President Wilson has already
taken steps to secure the release of
the prisoners at Chihuahua, cap
tured by the Mexicans in the fight
at Carrizal.
On official authority, it is said,
q demand has been made on the
Carranza government for release
of the prisoners.
Wait "a Hours.
The president will wait "a hours for
to the statement OF an administration
official.
A report Is desired from the two
squadrons of the Eleventh cavalry sent
to relief of the ambushed troopers.
Such e report is looked for soon. 1t is
realized the two squadrons themselves
may have got tangled up In a fight.
Secretary Lansing refused to ak on
leaving the conference. Secretary
Baker said there was nothing to do but
walt and get the facts.
Both refused to say what would be
done about the prisoners at Chihuahua,
but on high authority it is said the
president has already acted.
Whether steps will be taken or have
been taken to protect Pershing, Secre-
tary Baker refuses to say. He reiterated
that all national guards forces called
out are to go to the border as soon as
ready.
1t was intimated in some quarters the
administration was willing there should
be a delay in bringing the main trouble
to q head in order to allow time to get
the national guard on the border.
Hitherto, there has been a DISPOSE
ton to judge the situation coolly and
calmly. This has been marked in ad-
m~inistration circles and 1t has also
been evident despite feeling in con-
gress. But If the stories Of the trap
ping n cutting to pieces of the
American cavalry by machine gun and
q cavalry charge are verified, it Is plain
the difficulties of keeping the peace will
be greatly increased.
Wait Final Reports.
President Wilson still awaited final
reports from General Pershing on the
Carrizal battle and army officers
thought 1t might be another day or two
before the affair is finally cleared up
All the evidence thus far received in
dicates that both the clash at Carriza,
oAAA lax a III lllS AlllcIlCdH ldIlu-
Ing party at Mazatlan were unwar
ranted, treacherously executed, and
without warning.
When final reports are received the
! Washington government Is expected tc
use them as the basis for a direct refu-
| government that the Americans were
the aggressors.
Whether or not the Washington gov
eminent will demand of Carranza q
complete disavowal and punishment OF
the responsible officers is not known,
1t is doubted whether Carranza would
consent to a disavowal.
Profit by Delay.
Meantime the American government
is profiting by the delay. The best
Of the national guards soon will be
ready to depart for the front and the
war department is assembling large
quantities of supplies and munitions
There Is talk that the government is
purposely marking time until the army
is in better shape to handle the situa-
ton.
President Wilson talked over the
phone with Secretary Baker late las,
night about the latest reports from
Pershing to the effect that only sever
survivors OF the troops were yet ac-
some indication that this government
was strongly disposed to give the Mex
leans the benefit Of any doubt over the
Carrizal affair. Secretary Lansing made
1t plain yesterday that the Carranzs
government would be given full oppor-
tunity to explain and disavow. provid-
cd 1t were shown the Mexicans were t.
blame. But It is apparent that any
satisfactory explanation Of the w1pini
out Of a force OF this size, II 1t is shown
to have been wiped out. will be diff.
cult.
Congress In Bad Temper.
Congress under the service has beer
In q bad temper over Mexico. The ef'
feet Of h recent news may be imag'
1ned.
Under orders from the wal depart
ment, national guard organizations thu
country over are Fastening to get ready
to move to the border. These forces
will be hurried to the southwest with
out any needless red tape. Talk of
call for voluntesrA which has been IL