New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-08

from the former and much broader in
scope. II was intimateo tonight thai,
unless otherwise ordered by Washing
ton, the American army will clean up
raiding Mexicans all through North
crn MeI'eo
Grave fears arc felt FOR the safety
Of Americans in Preside, Tex, the
largest town in the Big BEND country
Every effort 20 get into touch with
Preside had failed up 70 a late hour
tonight. The town is largely Mexican
many Of these being Villa sympa'h'z-
crs.
Raid Long Expected.
Border residents along the edge OF
the Big Bend country have been eX-
ree.inc such a raid as has just taken
place snd they are now stirred up 10
the point OF threatening war OF OK
Termination upon troublesome Mex
leans on both sides Of the border.
Reports from the Alpine and Maria
country tonight say excitement there
is greater than ever has been known
and the whole population is on war
basis. eager 20 so after all Mexieans
who cannot give a good account OF
themselves.
Americans Give Fierce Battle
The battle between the nine soldiers
OF the l4th Cavalry and the bandits
was a fierce one. The Americans, de-
spite the disparity in numbers, he!d
the raiders back for FIVE hours
from IL o'clock Friday until 4 o'clock
Saturday morning BEFORE they were
forced 10 retreat.
Practically all detsils Of the raid
reaching here to-day came 70 Genera!
Funston from Major O. r. Mey--, or
the I4th Cavalry. stationed at Maria.
According to Major Meyer, the bandits,
shout seventy-hve in number, crossed
the Rio Grande from the Mexican side
late Friday afternoon at point south
OF Terlingpus, where there Is guard
OF about thirty men.
From there they proceeded eastward
through the desolate reaches Of the
Big Bend country over an old wagon
road toward Glenn Springs, small
ranch settlement.
A few miles west OF Glenn Springs
an American patrol Of eight men from
Troop A, l4th Cavalry, under command
q Sergeant Smith, was stationed. The
bandits began an attack on the little
temporary shack in which the eight
troopers were ouartered before the sin
gle sentinel could raise an alarm. The
time was about II o'clock.
Surprise Attack Fails.
The attackers rushed toward the
shack, shouting "Viva Villa!" and
viva Carranza!" They were met by a
sturdy defence from the half-asleep
Americans, however. and failed in their
evident attempt TO make quick capt
ure of the patrol guard
For three hours Sergeant Smith
fought the MeXicans from the shelter
of the patrol house. In that time
three Of his men-Cohen, Coloe and
Rogers-had been killed. and he and
all the rest were wounded. two of the
men seriously. Then the shack caught
fire.
II was impossible 10 stay longer, so
Sergeant Smith ordered 3 retreat. Two
Of his men were so badly wounded it
was necessary 70 carry them.
Smith and the other men not only
succeeded in removing the badly
wounded. but they took out the bodies
Of the three dead men and carried them
TO a place Of safety.
Three Hold OF Bandits.
There was motor truck attached
TO the camp. The dead and dangerously
wounded men were loaded into this and
sent north toward Marathon, a station
on the Southern Pacific, So miles
north, in the hope that medical aid
might be secured for the wounded.
QS man left with the truck This
/cft Smith and two others 20 engage
the bandits. They retired 70 the low
hills and fought from behind rocks and
mounds Of gravel
While this was going on ranchmen
Of the vicinity had heard the shooting
and had hurried to the scene. Although
few in number they formed an ade-
quate reinforcement With the badly
wounded and dead disposed Of, Ser