New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1916-06-24


when Fired upon by Mexican
Army under General Gomez
Gonzales Places Blame o,
Americans.
FL Paso, June 21.-America,
and Carr;xza troops fought j.;
bloody battle today only fev
hours after President Wilson
6O00-word rebuke to Gen. Car
rama had gone forward yester
day to Mexico City. With whicl
side victory rested is not known
The engagement took place on
the Santo Domingo ranch, ncal
the Mexican town Of Carrizal
nine miles southwest of Villa
Ahumada, the Mexican field head
quarters in northern Chihuahua
The number of dead was not
definitely known here ton ght, but
a score Of General Perishings
men arc said to have been killed
and the Mexicans are said to have
lost more than two score.
Seventeen Americans are de-
clared by Mexican officials to
have been captured and to have
been hurried to Chihuahua City
under adequate guard.
A machine gun used by the
Americans is reported to have
done heavy execution.
The Americans engaged are
thought to have been members
of troop from the Tenth cavalry,
a negro regiment, returning from
Il scouting trip to Gusman.
The size Of the Mexican force,
whose commander, Geo. Felix 20,
mez. was killed, is not known.
News Of the battle was received
in Juarez early this afternoon by
Gen. Francisco Gonzales. Car
rama commander of the military
zone of the border. For some
reason or other, General Gonzales
kept the story secretsuntil late in
the afternoon, when amAmerican,
j. C.. Hubbel, .fettnninn 1 to the
border from the interior, brought
to Ell Paso the news that he had
seen numbers of Mexicans dead
along the Mexican Central tracks
at Villa Ahmuda and had been
told that there had been an en-
counter with the "gringoes."
General Gonzales first step
after confirming the news was to !
issue a statement placing the
blame on the American comman-
der. He charged that the Amer
lean troops fred first on the Mex
leans and that their shots were
directed at a courier, who had
just presented to them a request
that they retire.
American army officers declared
absolute disbelief in Gonzales as
scrtions. The opinion was ex-
pressed that if the Americans
fred first, they did so because it
was necessary to insure their own
safety.
General Trevino's recent warn
ng to General Pershing not to
send his troops east, south or
vest Of their positions, was re-
,alled.
Excitement Spreads
When Extras Out.
Excitement spread in Ell Paso
Is extras were issued and the
lews became known. Quiet was
maintained, however, in view Of
}eneral Bells frequent admoni-
ion that his soldiers could take
are of any situation that might
rise. While awaiting instruc-
ions from headquarters at San
Antonio, General Bell kept his
ntire force in readiness for in
tant action.
In the meantime, however, word
anne from Juarez that all was
niet. although the news Of the
attle was widespread there. At
n early hour tonight the only .
fficial details of the engagement
eceived here came from the !,
Iexican side Of the river. Gen.
raj Gonzals said his information 7
vas transmitted to him from Villa !
.humada by General Rivsas. who I.
the Mexicans after I
heir leader was slain. General I
-onzales also gave the Mexican 9
yplanation Of how the two for :
ns came in contact. e
ent Force to Advise II
to Return. :
According to General Gonzales. =
e was informed nv General Co 1