Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 April 1916 — WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS ASKED BY CARRANZA [ARTICLE]

WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS ASKED BY CARRANZA

American Troops Are Fired Upon On Entry to Parral and Several Are Reported Dead. Washington, April 13.—American troops in Mexico have had their first battle with the natives at the moment General Carranza is urging their withdrawal. On Wednesday night, while General Carranza’s note was on its way to Washington, troopers of the Seventh cavalry under Major Tompkins, were fired upon in Parral, a Villa stronghold in western Chihuahua; were pursued to the suburbs, while the Carranza garrison took a doubtful part in the affray, and were attacked again during the night.

Complete information regarding the losses to the American troops or to the Mexicans had not reached Washington tonight. Secretary Baker said that according to unofficial reports one American cavalryman was killed, and that the troopers used a machine gun against the Mexicans. Mr. Baker announced later that he had ordered General Funston to take any step that might be necessary to prevent further trouble. When asked whether this, might mean the enforced use of Mexican railroads for the movement of soldiers and supplies, he said General Funston was on the ground and would act as any emergency required. The secretary expressed the hope, however, that the trouble at Parral was purely local and did not presage further difficulties. General Carranza directing his embassy here to point out that the clash proved his contention that the presence of American troops in Mexico is leading to a situation which threatens to go beyond Xis control; telegraphed that “many deaths had occurred on both sides.”;