The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-12-28
MILITIAMEN DODGE
MEXICAN BULLETS
Continued from page u

(C0nttnued from page IL
Iof conflicting reports of the affair, an
investigation is under way today into
the outpost skirmish early today be.
tween Mexican snipers and patrol
of the Third Kentucky national guard.
during which more than three hundred
shots were fired across the Rio
Grande river by the guardsmen, after
fusillade of shots from the Mexican
side.
The entire city and the militia
camps were aroused by the sound of
heavy firing shortly before one o'clock
today Regular army officers In the
VICINITY at the time declare they heard
no shots from the Mexican side while
others and officers of the guard on pa
troll, state that scattered firing contfn-
ued several minutes from the other
bank
Captain e. W. Clark. in command of
Company l., Third Kentucky. on patrol
duty above the union station. stated
that the first shots were fred at the
patrol under Lieutenant Hale. The
guardsmen dropped to the ground and
opened fire at the spot where they
saw flashes. Another detachment ran
I'D and Joined in the volleys. shoot
| ing at the flashes of the Mexicans
rifles. So far as known there have
been no casualties. Residents on the
boulevard a mile from the scene OF
the shooting reported bullet holes IN
their houses, but this has not been
| verified.
| United States authorities have made
demand upon the Carranza military
commander at JuareZ to ascertain
~ \, sc ctafiny-
| ed at the point where the shooting
occurred or took part In the skirmish.
Counter Proposition.
| [By Carl D. Groat. United Press Stan
| Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2S.-That Gem
eIal Carranza has not signed the troop
withdrawal protocol, but has instead
again submitted counter proposals.
was the growing belief here today.
This belief grew even In those official
circles where earlier today hope was
expressed that the first chief ultimate
1y would sign the paper.
Men close In touch with the situa-
ton said they believed Carranza will
seek another peace conference. This
request was expected to be submit
ted by Chairman Cabrera of the Mex
Iican commission when he sees Secre-
tary Lane early this afternoon.
To Head OFF Villa.
Ell PASO, Texas, Dec. 28.-Every
energy OF the Carranza government
today Is directed toward pushing
troops to saltillo and Monterey to
head off the advance of Villas bandit
| army upon these cities and Tampico.
according to reports reaching United
| States authorities here. General
BENJAMIN Hill, commander in the fed
eral district, around Mexico City, Is
reported preparing to start north with
troop trains to take charge OF the
/ campaign against Villa.
Meantime small Carranzista gar
risons In different parts OF the states
OF Durango and Coahuila are re-
voting, declaring themselves Villistas
| and starting out as outlaw bands.
| Fighting at Moctezuma, short
distance below Juarez. was reported
late yesterday. Federal department
agents here have authentic informa-
i, ton that a revolutionary band OF four
or five hundred men have been how
ering about sixty miles south of the
border. The band is under command
Of Colonel Tamez, former Carranzista
leader, who deserted from Jnarez
with one hundred and twenty men
some months ago and joined Villa.
His followers wear black band on
| their arms and call themselves the
brigade of DEATH
It was reported in Juarez yester-
, day that a trainload of government
| troops under General Gonzales en-
route to Chihuahua City deserted at
Villa Ahumada yesterday. 1t is be-
! lieyed the deserters Joined Tamez' s
band.
| Band Of vlIIistas.
Ell PASO, Dec. 2S.-Federal de-
partment officials here learned today
that a band of Villistas numbering
| 500 under Manuel Ochoa are encamp-
ed at a ranch sixty-five miles south
of Juarez It is believed they are
awaiting orders from Villa to attack
Juarez or cut the railway line be-
tween the border and Chihuahua City.
United States secret service men
today are on the trail Of two men in
FL Paso who have been recruiting
among Mexicans for Ochoa's band.
Fired From Mexican Side.
FL. PASO, Texas. Dec. 2S.--After an
Investigation OF the outpost skirmish
early today between Mexican snipers
and a patrol detachment of the Third
Kentucky national guard, during
which hundreds Of shots were fired
across the Rio Grande river, General
Bell announced he is satisfied that
the American outpost was fired upon
from the Mexican side first.
One man Of Company l. was light
ing his cigarette when three shots
were directed at him from the other
bank of the river.
Round Robin Protest.
Ell PASO, Texas, Dec. 2s.-Follow-
ing a renewed investigation into the
round robin" protest signed by five
hundred and eighty Ohio national
Iguardsmen, General Bell announced
today that the non-commissioned Off
GERS who signed the protest would not
be reduced to the ranks. The only