Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-06-16
Act Agreed on.


rom Juarel
Act Agreed on.
Washington, June 1G.-1hcre is no
possibility of any MISUNDERSTANDING
between the American and Mexican
governments as a result OF the Amer
lean troops having crossed the border
and engaged in battle with the Viii
istas. Secretary Of War Baker de-
clared today in a briel formal state
ment. The only purpose Of the Amer
lean soldiers is 70 protect life on the
American side of the border, he said
The border situation is strictly a
military one and will be left entirely
TO the war department. Assistant
Secretary of State Phillips said.
$500 Americans in Fight
El Paso. Tex. June 16-American
troops were engaged in battle with
Mexican forces early today for the
first time since tue occupation OF
Vera Cruz.
Thirty-six hundred American sol
diers crossed the border shortly be-
fore midnight and engaged the forces
Of Gen. Villa. They Immediately at
tackled and attempted to capture or
disperse the whole Villista army.
Cavalry, infantry and artillery par
dcipated in the action, the cavalry
charging the Mexican rebel ranks and
at the same time attempting an en-
rirCling movement. The first casual
ties of the American troops were one
artilleryman killed and another seri-
ously wounded by snipers.
The $500 American cavalry and in
Cantry were supported by field guns
which opened fire with shrapnel on
The forces of Gen Villa, attacking
.uarcz. Early today it was impossi-
BE TO learn whether Villa would con
inue his attempt to capture Juarez
or would withdraw.
The correspondent rushed into
Iuarez Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock
and found three Americans in bust
ness there Word was received that
he rebels intended to attack at 4
o'clock, ana few minute after this
hour. firing began in the eastern part
Of the the city The Americans took
refuge in the Annex Cantina.
About 5 o'clock the rebels drove tn"
fedcrals to point directly opposite
the Americans refuge, whore the Car
ranZistas made a stand.
About five Carranzistas were killed
in this battle, several were wounded
and ten rebels were killed, The
charge drove the rebels back through
the lines and the defense was again
resumed.
At II o'clock word was received
from FL Paso that the American
troops were preparing to come over.
The correspondent sat on a plat
form raised about 200 feet from the
Ground at the side of the Cantina,
watching the Americans, when from
a bare two blocks away came the
sound of a mutfled engine. A dark
shape crawled around the corner, fol
lowed by two more. Then the ma
chimes passed into a patch of moon
light and disclosed themselves to be
three United States military armoured
cars. Close behind tramped negro
soldiers of the oath Z. S. Infantry.
A few minutes later the guns of the
sgd Field Artillery began to lombard
: oil glt "a
Soon shrapnel shell We're bursting
in and around the race track grand
stand at the rate OF three minute.
After getting the range the artillery
men. commanded by Col. Merrill,
scored a hit with every shot
Meantime the cavalry hridgade ad-
vanced as close to the rae etrack as
Col. Tompkins would permit while
keeping out of range of the American
ahrapnel,
An enyelOping movement was start
ed Immediately with the aim of pre-
venting the Villista army from escap-
ing southeast to the mountains or
crossing the border to endager Amer
lean citizens,