The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-07-01
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in the Mexican crisis. Apparently
both the United States government
and the de facto authorities of Mex
leo hope to treat the clash at CarriZal
yesterday as an incident aggravating
grave1y strained relations, but not of
itself likely to precipitate general
hostilities.
American Troops Attacked.
FL Paso, Tex, June 22.-United
States soldiers and Carranza troops
Northern Chihuahua.
Upon which side victory rested is
not known. A score of General Per
shing's men are said to have been
killed and seventeen made prisoners,
while the Mexican losses are report
ed at forty dead and many wounded
A Mexican General Slain.
Among the Carranzistas slain was
the commander of their detachment,
Gen. Felix Gomez.
The engagement took place only a
few hours after President Wilson's
6,O0O-word rebuke to Carranza had
gone forward and was fought on the
Santo Domingo ranch near the Next
can town of Carrisal, nine miles
southwest of Villa Ahumada, the Mex
lean field headquarters in Northern
Chihuahua.
The seventeen Americans declared
by Mexican officials to have been cap
tured are said to have been hurried
to Chihuahua City under adequate
guard. A machine gun used by the
Mexicans is reported to have done
heavy execution.
The Americans engaged are thought
to have been members of a troop
from the Tenth Cavalry, a negro reg
iment, returning from a scouting trip
to Guzman. The size of the Mexican
force is not known.
Was a Brief Battle.
The battle began about 1920 a. m,
and lasted not more than an hour. 1t
apparently ended by both sides with
drawing The failure of General Per
shing to report on it indicated that
the American survivors had not yet
returned to their base at an early
hour Iastnight.
Officials declined to make any
prophesy as to the next step of the
Washington government, saying that
until details of the incident had been
cleared up it could not be determined
whether a crisis had been precipitat-
ed. They made no effort to conceal
| their anxiety, but were not ready to
abandon hope that an official account
of what happened at Carrizal would
remove the more threatening eIe-
ments of the situation.
Firm Note to Carranza.
Washington, June 21.-With Presi-
dent Wilson's firm refusal to with
draw American troops from Mexico on
| it's way to the de facto government,
embodied in a note sternly arraigning
the whole course of General Carranza
in the situation which has brought the
| two countries to the verge of war, the
administration continued today its
preparations to meet any emergency
that may arise.
War or peace rests with General
Carranza. The position of the United
States is pointedly set forth in its re-
view of the apparent inability of Car
rama to prevent border raids and to
keep the obligation he owes the world
! dominions.
If" says the note, $50 the de
facto government is pleased to ignore
this obligation and to believe that in
case of refusal to retire these troops
there is no further course than to de-
fend its territory by an appeal to
arms the government of the United
States would surely be lacking in sin.
cerity and friendship if it did not
frankly impress upon the de facto gov.
eminent that the execution of this
threat will lead to the graVest conse
Quences."
The note was handed early today to
Elesio Arredondo, the Mexican am
bassador designate here, for transmits
sion to Mexico City. Copies were fur
nished to all the foreign embassies
and legations, and a summary cabled
to Special Agent Rodgers at the Mex
| lean capital for his information.
The main points of President Viii
sons note to the de facto government
are as follows:
Main Points of Note
Whole course of Carranza in deal
ing with situation leading up to pres
ent crisis is sternly arraigned.
Apparent inability Of first chief
to preserve order in his own domin
ions is pointedly set forth in review
Warning is given that attempt tt
execute implied war threat will LEAD
to ''the gravest consequences"
Depredations of bandits along Dor
der and failure of de facto govern
ment to apprehend and punish then
leads to belief that it encourage
them.
Self-defense required United State:
to take action it has and only passin;
of need for troops will bring abou
their withdrawal, it is positivel!
stated.
On every side in official quarter
today there were plain Indication
that the administration is expectin,
serious developments in the very nea
future and is laying plans to NEE
them with drastic action.
Soldiers Kill Jap Liquor Vendor.