The Rice belt journal., 1916-04-21
CARRANzA GARRISON AND CITI'
ZENs OF PARRAL FIRE ON
AMERICAN TROOPS.
WANT U. S. TROOPS OUT
carrahza in Note to Washington Asks
Withdrawal Of American Troops
From Mexico-May Cause Seri-
Gus Turn Of Affairs.
Latest News Of Mexican situation.

leo was on its way to Washington
troopers of the Seventh Cavalry un'
der Major Tompkns were fired upon
In ParraI. a Villa stronghold in West
ern Chihuahua, and were pursued to
the suburbs while the Carranza garri-
son took a doubtful part in the atfray.
They were attacked again during the
same night.
Foreign Minister Aguilar, in a dis
patch sent before that from General
Carranza, said one American trooper
was killed and several civilians were
wounded.
Consul Garcia, the Carranza consul
at Ell Paso, wired the embassy that
several persons were killed on both
sides" His dispatch added that when
the American troops entered Parral
the people protested and it appears
the garrison did also
A dispatch from General Carran2a
himself follows:
After message sent you by Secre-
tary for Foreign Affairs Aguilar, the
secretary of war received a message
from General Gutierrez, dated at Chi
huahua, informing him that it had
been impossible for military Comman-
ders to check the mob against Ameri-
can troops who entered Parral, and
that this evening april 12) the fight
had continued between our people and
the American forces, and that many
deaths had occurred on both sides.
General Obregon has already given
orders to prevent continuation Of the
battle, but the feeling is so great
among the people that fail to know
whether the struggle can be stopped.
Call on the secretary of state and
advise him that the occurrence is due
to the unwise action of the American
commander in having entered Parral
without the permission of the authori-
ties, violating the orders of that gov
eminent forbiddirg the occupation of
towns by American forces.
"Please cause the secretary Of state
to see that it Is unwise for American
troops to remain any longer on our
soil, as more serious incidents than
the present one, which we must avoid
at all costs, may develop.
please make use of any arguments
you may deem advisable to put an end
to the situation created by the pres
ence Of American troops in our terri
tory. / will keep on advising you
through the foreign office of any fur
ther Incidents"
Unless the work of the punitive eX-
pedition is accomplished within very
few days means will be sought to
strengthen Brigadier General Perish.
lng's forces at the front, it was au-
thorltatively stated Thursday. 1t is
expected that Major General Funston
will ask the war department to move
into the Southern department the 1000
troops that are stationed at other
points in the United States. If this is
done these will be placed on duty
along the border, relieving for service
in Mexico a part of the 10000 now do
ing garrison and patrol duty along the
frontier If the war department re-
CARDS the transfer of troops not now
IN the department inexpedient, it is
believed that General Funston will rec
Ommend using the militia to relieve
the troops along the border.
A report that Francisco Villa was
dead and buried was the outstanding
feature of the news of the Mexican sit.
uation Wednesday. This report was
brought to Columbus by two army
Aviators, but it lacked confirmation
A report Of a battle near Jiminez
was received from private sources
but nothing official was had in re-
gard to the matter, The battle is said
to have taken place at Troya, a small
town about nineteen miles west OF
Iiminez.
The American advance column re.
ported at Parral several days ago
could have been at the point where
this fight is reported On the other
hand, if this is q skirmish between
Carrancistas and Villistas there is
some surprise at Juarez remaining 81
lent, since heretofore there has been
an attitude of eagerness to make such
announcements.
General Gavira, Carranza comman
der at Juarez, announces that the dc
facto government now is in position to
take charge of the Villa situation il
the American troops withdraw from
the country. He says he has more
than enough men.
Then, too, the line Of communication,
supplying the American soldiers, is
not at all what officials want it to be,
and there seems to be no immediate
prospect of bettering it.
Some of the troops guarding West
Texas towns will be used to strength.
en- the ever.drawing line of communi.
cation. The negro soldiers have been
ordered from Del Rio and will do serv.
fee in Mexico.
Late advices at Washington would
indicate that Brigadier General Perish.
ing has not haf anv hrnsh with