South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-14
AMERICANS CLASH
WIT MEXICANS
Civilian Force Fires on u. S.
Troops at Parral and They
Return the Fire.

moment Gen. Carranza Is urging
their withdrawal
on Wednesday night. while Gen.
Carranzas note was on its way to
Washington troopers OF the seventh
cavalry under Maj. Tompkins were
fired upon i'm Parral a villa strong
hold in western chihuahua: were
pursued 70 the suburbs while the
Carranza garrison took a doubtful
part in the ARRAY, and were attack
ed again during the night
Complete information regarding
the losses TO the American troops
or 10 the Mexicans had not reached
washington Thursday night. Secy
Baker informed Pres't Wilson that
a brief dispatch 90 the war depart
ment said that according TO un-
official reports one American cav
alryman was killed. and that the
troopers used a machine gun against
the Mexicans.
Funston Gets Orders.
Mr. Baker announced later that
ne had ordered Gen. Funston TO
take any steps that might be neces-
sary to prevent further trouble.
When asked whether this might
mean the enforced Use Of Mexican
railroads for the movement OF sol
diers and supplies, he said Gen.
Funston was on the ground and
would act as any emergency re-
CURED. The secretary expressed the
hope. however. that the trouble at
Tarral was purely local and did not
presage further difficulties.
Gen. Carranza directing his en-
bassy here to point out that the
clash proved his contention that the
presence OF American troops in
Mexico is leading to situation
which threatens 10 20 beyond his
control. telegraphed that many
deaths had occurred on both sides
Foreign Minister Aguilar. in a dis
patch sent before that from Gen.
Carranza. said one American troop
er was killed and several civilians
were wounded.
Garrison Also Protests.
Consul Garcia. the Carranza agent
at Fl PasO. wired the EN- bassy that
several persons were killed on
both sides" His dispatch added
hat when the American troopers
entered Parral. the people protest
ed and II appears the garrison did
also"
This latter statement is in direct
contradiction 10 the dispatches OF
Carranza and Aguilar which de-
clared the Carrauza troops attempt
ed 20 hold back the Mexican mob
a report 70 the state department
from Consul Lechter at Chihuahua
forwarded through Gen. Funston.
said there had beer some trouble"
az Parral when the American col
umn was fired upon by Mexican
civilians. The state and war de-
partments. receiving from the Mex
lean embassy their first infOrmatiCn
that the clash had been a serious
one. at once sent out orders for a
fun report IL had not been re-
ceived Thursday night
Decision With Wilson.
Upon Pres't Wilson rests the de-
cision of what the effect Of the at
tack on the administration Mex
lean policy shall be- whether it
shall have a bearing on considera-
ton OF Carranza's proposal for the
withdrawal OF the troops. and final
Is whether Carranza's proposal shall
DE accepted. rejected or negotiated.
Members of his official family indi-
Gated Thursday night that IL prac-
t.cally was certain no immediate or
der for withdrawal Of the eXpedi-
tion seeking villa could be given.
The subject will be laid before the
cabinet Friday. Because OF the Sc
rious turn I'm the Mexican situation
and the gravity OF the submarine
issue with Germany, the president
cancelled an engagement to go TO
New York Friday night and speak
there Saturday night.
Congress viii not have opportu-
nifty TO show its feelings until IL
meets at noon Friday. News of the
attack OF American troops reached
the capital too late for the senate
or house to hear about II before
they adjourned for the day
Carranza's proposal for the with
drawal OF the expedition, however.
seemed 10 meet the general senti-
ment that the administration should
he left free 10 handle the situation
for the present Whether the at
tack on the troops viii alter that
view remains for Fridays develop
ments.
Anxious AbOHt Detachment.
Thursday night the situation Of
the isolated detachment Is the cause
Of some anxiety. Outnumbered and
POSSIBLY beIeaguered in a neighbor-
hood notoriously anti-American. and
how far from reinforCements no one
here knows. the troopers may be in
grave DANGER which only the trans
uortation and uncertain lines Of
communication from the advance
bases of the American army in
Mexico can tell.
The story Of the attack upon them
is told in dispatches TO the Car
rama embassy here, the FIRST from
roretgn Minister Aguilar and the
second from Gen. Carranza him.
self
Consul Garcia's dispatch TO the
embassy follows.
Gen Gavira Cthe Carranza COM
mandant at Juarez) informs me that