The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-06-22

me Americans engaged are thought 10
have been members of troop from the
10th cavalry a negro regiment, returning
from a scouting trip to Guzman. The
size of the Mexican force, whose com.
mander, General Felix Gomez, was killed,
is not known.
News OF the battle was received in
Juarez early yesterday afternoon by Gen
eral Francisco Gonzales, Carranza com
mander of the military zone of the bor-
der. For some reason General Gonzales
kept the story secret until late in the
afternoon when an American, j. c. Hub
Bile, returning to the border from the in
terror, brought to FL Paso the news that
he had seen numbers of Mexican dead
along the Mexican Central railroad
tracks at Villa Ahumada, and had been
told that there had been an encounter.
General Gonzales first step after con-
firming the news was to issue state
ment placing the blame on the American
commander. He charged that the Amer
ican troops fired first on the MeXicans,
and that their shots were directed at
courier who had just presented to them
request that they retire.
American army officers declared abso
lutte disbelief in General Gonzales as
sertions. The opinion was expressed that
if the Americans fired on the Mexicans
they did so because it was necessary in
order to insure their own safety. Gen
eral Trevino's recent warning to General
Pershing not to send his troops east
south or west of their positions was re-
called
.4... i r&,rol-
were issued and the news became known.
Quiet was maintained, however, in view
of General Bells frequent admonitions
that his soldiers could take care of any
situation that might arise. While await !
ing instructions from headquarters at
San Antonio, General Bell kept his en-
tire force in readiness for instant ac-
tion.
In the meantime, however, word came
from ,Juarez that all was quiet, although |
the news of the battle was widespread |
there.
According to General Gonzales he was
informed by General Gomez at Villa Ahu |
mada Tuesday night of the presence of |
The Americans westward between Villa |
Ahumada and Ell Vale. He says he inn
mediately instructed General Gomez TO
proceed to Santo Domingo ranch, where
the Americans were reported in "un-
known force" and advise their comman.
der to retire to their camp.
This, ne saws, General Gomez did yes
terday morning. The American com
mander whose name was not given by
General Gomez, is said to have replied
that he was instructed TO proceed to Villa
Ahumada and must do so.
The statement issued by the Juarez
commander read:
Immediately upon learning of the
presence of the American troops in the
vicinity Of Carrizal. General Felix Gomez
dispatched messenger with request I
that the American commander withdraw !
his camp. When the American troops :
remained motionless. he sent second I
despatch bearer who was fired upon by .
the American troops after he had deliv- s
cred his message. The Americans imme- d
diately moved forward and attacked Gen
eral Gomez' command
eAll the prisoners admitted that the
blame should be put on the American Y
commander for having ordered the at
tack. The prisoners were sent 20 Chi
huahua City with the customary protec-
tion.1
Whichever side began the engagement.
the Mexicans had the advantage. for 2
they had provided themselves with
machine gun and this is supposed to
have done deadly execution in the ranks
" the Americans That the latter were
not inefficient. however. was proved BY :
ne number Of Mexican dead and wound,
"a removed to villa Ahumsda and wit.
,essed hv Americans coming north on a :.
rain bound for Juarez.
Battle Lasted an Hour.
The battle began about 1880 a. m. and ,,
asted not more than an hour. IL ap- ",
1arentiy ended with both sides with 81
IrsH1nC Ics
4 storv hFourit 30 Ei Paso By =. G.. ID
subblr sn American. who has been en- i1
-i9god b tie CoEPana AgTic'la az To- e