The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-06-17
SOLDIERS
CROSSBORDER
into MEXICO
Action of Troops Sunday
Night Provoked Discus
sion in Both Houses Con-
gress Yesterday.

/ Washington, June 16.-Discussion of
Mexican affairs was provoked today
| in both houses of congress by the
crossing of the Rio Grande of United
States troops.
/ Representative Gould, republican, of
New York, charged that such action
constituted tacit offensive military
alliance between the United States and
Mexico, of which congress had not
been appraised.
Senator Fall, republican, of New
Mexico, said if troops were sent to
protect American citizens and property
he congratulated the war department.
but if the purpose was to protect the
Carranza garrison in JuareZ, there
| was no defense for the war department.
Senator Pomerene stated that he was
advised by Secretary Baker that the
purpose was to protect Americans
from ViIlista firing.
EI Paso, June 16.-All United States
troops which crossed into Mexico last
night had returned to the United
States side late today, according to a
report received at military headquar
ters. The cavalry brigade and artiI-
lery crossed twelve miles southeast of
Juarez.
American cavalry forces returned
from Mexico with a hundred Villa
cavalry horses and nine prisoners cap
tured in pursuit of Villas forces, COM
manding officers reported that four
Villa followers were killed when the
adobe headquarters were charged.
From that time on it was running
fight with the Villa band across the
plains.
Washington, June 16.-To conduct
observation work along the Mexican
border, three airplane units of six ma
chimes each have been ordered by D1-
rector of Air Service Menoher to leave
Kelly and Ellington fields. Texas, inn
mediately.
EI Paso, Tex, June (Mexican)-
American troops sent into Mexico last
night to stop the indiscriminate firing
across the border, fought their f. ST
general engagement with the repel
forces of Francisco Villa at the Juarez
race track shortly after 2 O'Clock this
morning and the Americans were vic
torious. Villas forces were driven
from the track and many prisoners
were reported taken by the United
States cavalry which took up posi-
tions on the east and southeast Of the
track, according to an official report
at military headquarters.
The Mexican rebels and federal
troops fought in the streets of Juarez
Saturday night and Sunday night.
many on both sides being killed. Many
bullets from the rebel guns came
across the Rio Grande and two persons
were killed and seven wounded on the
American side.
When the Mexican bullets became
too thick for the safety of citizens of
Eel Paso. Brigadier General Erwin at
IL o'clock last night ordered American
troops to cross the border and in ten
minutes after the order was issued g.
500 United States soldiers were in |
Mexico. The first troops to cross the /
border We're the fourth battalion of |
the oath infantry tnegro), a battalion |
of the S2nd artillery and the fifth and /
seventh cavalry
After the Mexican federals were al |
lowed to retire into the town of Juarez. |
Colonel Hadselrs negro infantry open /
ed up with terrific rifle fire on the /
trenches flanking the race track. They !
advanced open SUCCEEDED
in dislodging the Villa forces who held /
the strongest points as the negro /
troops were forced to advance across
a comparatively open plain. The first /
volleys from the riflemen were answer
ed. shot for shot, by the Villa troops. /
who seemed to realize they were
trapped by the cavalry in the rear and
the infantry in front.
American machine guns started
sputtering from adobe houses near the
race track and the preponderance of
rifle fire was soon with the American
forces. The preliminary artillery prep
aration having been completed. the
guns became silent as the
rifles took up the work. The explosion
of Mauser and American cartridges
could be plainly distinguished from
headquarters in the Mills
building in Ell Paso, where General Err
win was an interested spectator from
his tenth story window.
As the American cavalry maneu-
vered over the Juarez plain their po-
sftions were marked by green flares
and were answered by similar star
shells from. the top OF the Mills build
ing.