Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-14
u. S. Patrol on Mexican
Border Increased
but Little
BUT RELIEVED OFTEN
Government Taking Unusual
Pains to Show Its Inten-
tiOnS Are Good.

Washington, March 114.-Troops
now concentrating in San Antonio,
Galveston, and San Diego, are to be
kept in the vicinity of those places.
This statement is made on the
highest war department authority not
withstand1ng constant rumors to the
contrary. II is said the object is to
have troops at hand for the frequent
relief OF those doing patrol duty along
the border.
CHANGING PLACES.
AS far as the navy is concerned #
is declared by officials that the gun
beats on the coasts by Mexico and
Central America are simply exchang-
ing places. Patrol work on the Mexi-
can border is arduous and trying, and
for this reason the war department
Is making plans for relieving those
now after a short tour of duty.
MAKE NO INCREASES.
The men now doing patrol work
are to be relieved at intervals but
there is no present intention in the
war department of increasing the
number on patrol at any particular
time.
SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED.
Washington, March 14.-Something
evidently has happened TO call the
Washington government TO bacHtrack
TO some extent in connection with the
war game on the Mexican border.
Protection of the neutrality laws now
seems to be the primary object il
Tnobilizing troops on the border.
whereas a few days ago we apparently
were rushing post haste for interven-
tion and the preservation of the Mon
roe doctrine. Diplomatic complica-
tions may have worked a change in
the situation.
TWO IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
Two important developments took
place Yesterday. One is the recalling
of war ships from the patrol Of MeN-
can waters Intelligence of this fol
lowed a statement from Senor de La
Barra, the Mexican ambassador. who
is in New York, that he had received
word that the vessels in question
would withdraw after coaling. The
statement was confirmed at the navy
department The ships, OF course.
can be kept within easy call. but the
essential fact Of the moment is that
they are not TO work on immediate ir-
ritation by their constant presence
within sight Of the Mexican shore line.
The other development was the ac-
ton OF Secretary Of War Dickinson IS
canceIing his sailing for Panama sche-
duled for yesterday.
REMOVING IMPRESSIONS.
There is much concealed strategy in
all war movements" not forgetting
the element OF bluff which some
times accOmplishes as much as a real
fight. that il is impossible 10 read in
the situation all the consequences
that ultimately or even Immediately
may be involved. II is plain, how
ever. that II is deemed wise for the
present TO remove some of the impress
s!ors relative TO the object of the mob
ilization that have gained lodsment
and 70 assume 2 less autocratic posi-
ton with regard to our interest in the
internal affairs of the neighboring re
public.
MANY OFFICERS GOING.
Washington March 1.-THE number
Of state militia officers who have &C
cepted the governments invitation 10
foin the maneuveTs Of the division at
San Antonio now totals 2.256. with sey-
eraI states and the District Of Colum-
hia TO be heard from. Iowa TODAY
named 9S Some states heretofore re
ported have increased their accept
anCes.