THE FIRST BRUSH.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 46

THE FIRST BRUSH.

NEW YORK, June 21. A report comes from El Paso that the Mexicans, with machine guns, near Carrizal attacked an American scouting party. It is reported that 40 Americans were killed. The Mexican casualties, excepting General Gomez, were unknown. Seventeen Americans were made prisoners. WASHINGTON, June 22. A force of Carranzists ambushed a considerable force of Americans, and killed several and captured a score. The Mexicans lost a few in casualties. The announcement of this skirmish is stirring United States war feeling, but President Wilson is still hoping that hostilities may be averted. The Consuls and other Americans are fleeing from Mexico. Riots and disturbances are reported from the border towns. Mr Lansing (Secretary of State) has notified the South American Republics that if war comes the United States will defend itself against further Mexican invasions, but will not intervene in Mexican affairs. MILITARY PREPARATIONS. LONDON, June 22. The Times correspondent at Washington says that the military preparations continue. General Funston has demanded 60,000 militia. Preparations are being made to withdraw the 1200 Americans remaining in Mexico City, and there are about 3000 in other parts. Foreigners are not apparently immediately endangered. A blockade has been discussed. GERMANY'S RESPONSIBILITY. WASHINGTON, June 23. Advices from Mexico allege that German representatives encouraged Carranza in his opposition. The United States troops are remaining in the country from moral rather than material considerations. The German citizen:.; in Mexico are being treated with great consideration, and their projierty is not being molested. The Americans are placing their property in the hands of German friends when leaving Mexico. The House of Representatives unanimously voted that the conditions in Northern Mexico justify President Wilson in immediately swearing the State troops Into the army of the United States. MEXICAN EXPLOIT. WASHINGTON, Juno 24. ? The South American Republics are en-

deavpuring to mediate between the United States and Mexico, but the United States refuses. It has been definitely established that a small force of the American expedition was defeated by the Mexicans, and the Americans were annihilated. The Mexicans threaten to repeat the exploit if the Americans enter Mexico further. The United States has asked Britain to take charge of its interests in Mexico City. The. Entente Powers have notified the United States of their willingness to subordinate their American inanition contracts to the United States' own needs, and the intimation is regarded as intimating that the Allies themselves are now able to supply all their own munition requirements. June 25. The War Department has rushed 5000 men of the Western and Central States Militia, to the Mexican border. POPE MAKES APPEAL. ROME, June 25. The Pope has appealed to the Presidents of the United States and Mexico to earnestly strive to avert war. AMERICA'S ARMY. WAR STRENGTH OF 254,000. A standing army of 206.000 men, capable of being expanded in emergency to 254,000 and backed by a Federalised National Guard of 425,000 as a reserve, was agreed on at Washington in May (says the Springheld Republican). The agreement was to be reported to Congress early, and the measure, the first of the Administration preparedness Bills, was expected to be before President Wilson for his signature soon afterwards.