Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-19
FUNSTON Defends QUICK
MEXICAN WITHDRAWAL
Says General Parker Carried Out
Orders in Manner Entirely
Satisfactory.
D1sPERsEs BANDIT RAIDERS
Regarded as Having Wsrded OF
Clash, but Sets Precedent Which,
Might Make Similar Operations
Along Border More Difficult.

SAN ANTONIO, June 1S.-Gcneral
James Parker withdrew from Mexico
to-day the several hundred American
| troops he sent in near Brownsville
yesterday in pursuit of bandits, Cen
eral Parker's explanation to General
Funston of his withdrawal was that he
regarded the disposal of the bandits.
the object of the expeditions. as ac-
complished.
Unconcealed astonishment was dis
played when il was learned that the
Americans were back on this side of
the border.
General Parker's order to Major An
derson to move his troops back in
Texas came after an exchange of
messages with General Ricaut through
Consul Garcia. General Ricaut plain
ly told the American general that the
force. which he regarded as an invad-
ing force. would be attacked unless
1t withdrew. General Parker replied
that the belligerent attitude of the
Mexican officer was the best way to
guarantee the presence of the Ameri-
can soldiers in Mexico He told him
that If attacked, re-enforcements would
be sent In numbers sufficient to with
stand any forcos General Ricaut
might bring up.
General Parker. however. sent an or
der to Major Anderson TO withdraw
The de facto government troops were
reported not to have molested the
Americans.
General Ricaut asserted his ability
and Intention to run down the bandits
STATEMENT ISSUED
NY GENERAL, EIrNSTnH
General Funston tonight issued the
following statement:
General Parker carried out the or
ders which he had received in n man
ner entirely satisfactory TO me and in
accordance with instructions which
have been received from the War De-
partment. He had pursued the ban
dts that raided American territory,
driven them from our soil. followed
them Is the other side of the river,
dispersed the band. broke up their
rendezvous. and remained in the vicin-
ity while search was being made for
any further signs of the bandits. There
being no further sign Of them this
morning, he withdrew his troops 10
the American side.
During the pursuit of the bandits
one was killed and two wounded on
the American side yesterday, and on
some wounded.
There are those who will criticize,
but they are not fully informed, and
do not realize the consequences that
would have followed had General Par
ker taken any other line of action"
II had been assumed as army head
quarters that General Parker would
not regard the task of Major Ander-
son completed SO quickly. and also II
had been assumed that General Ricaut
would carry out his threat to attack
the Americans.
HAD MADE PREPARATIONS
TO BACK UP EXPEDITION
General Funston and hts staff had
made all preparations TO back up the
expedition.
The withdrawal of the American
troops was regarded by most army off,
Gals as having warded off clash, but
So quick a withdrawal might make
more difficult similar operations along
the border when 1t became necessary
TO chase bandits across the line into
Mexico.
The early termination Of the chase,
army officers here believed. will en-
| courage the bandits to make fresh
raids. believing that II they could re-
gain footing on the Mexican side.
| they would be safe from long pursuit.
Few, if any, of the officers here be-
lieved that the raids had ended. and
General Funston and his stan were
studying carefully all reports affect
| ing the situation in which General
pershing has been placed. the reports
| OF anti-American demonstrations In
! Mexico. unexplained movements of
Mexican troops. and the news OF dis
turbances along the Arizona border.
The military machine was gone over,
and il any overt act OF Carranzas Off
GERS should make II necessary. IT could
be set IN motion without delay.