New-York tribune., 1913-07-15
READY TO CROSS BORDER
At ONCE IF NECESSARY
War Department Has Kept
Forces in Texas Prepared
for Emergency.
GARRISON TO VIEW CAMPS
No Withdrawals of Troops Elk
pected, However-Speclal
Reports Not Re.
assuring.
TFrom The Tribune Bureau

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, July 1.-THE SITUATION ~
Mexico Is the occasion OF no SURPRISE u
well informed army officers who nave
been keeping in touch with affairs IN INC
neighborng republic Irdeed, the war
Denartment has special sources Of infor-
nation I'm Mexico several officers at dh-
ferent times having made thorough en-
animation Of the state Of affairs py means
Of trips which covered practically tue
entire country. These reports are an!
thing but reassn'ing and they nave gov
erned the War Department in It's manage
mon, NJ tho army I'm relation to the MeNi-
can situation.
Many complaints have reached Wash-
i,gton concerning the discomfort and IN
convenience experienced by the army along
tho Mexican border. chiefly because OF the
local conditions and climatic influences at
Texas City, where the Second DlY'9ioi'
under Major General William III. Car'e''
l. in what begins TO look like permahen.
camp. Some hope has been expressed 'iia'
,bie military force at Texas City might DC
Withdrawn. at least I'm part. IN anucipd-
tion Of the hurricane season. out laIse
,,,u,,ory force IS likely TO be maintained
for an indefinite time In Texas. not oi'iS
along the Rio Grande, but at IeNas O''
There may be. OF course. some changes
among the commands at Texas CITY Out
II is probabIe that the force there III
modified form will consist OF al least SIN
regiments Of infantry. one Of cavalry one
Of artillery and battalion OF engineers
Garrison TO Investigate.
While il is expected that Secretary
Garrison. who starts on Wednesday OH
transcontinental inspection trip accom-
panied by the Chief of staff and the heau
of the ouartermaster Corps, viii make
some special investigation on his own
account at Texas city. IT is oeginnihs
to be realized that there Is no likeHhoou
that his inquiries will lead TO any
change. inasmuch as the situation re-
ouires. in the opinion of the military
authorities. the maintenance OF con-
siderable force in Texas.
Military officers have all along felt
that conditions in Mexico were anytning
but favorable for the withdrawal OF
troops from such positions in Texas az
would make them readily available for
any movement required 10 restore order
south of the Rio Grande. IL is diNuls-
ing no secret TO state that the war De-
partment is fully prepared for any
emergency. The four army transports
sent 10 Galveston some months ago are
still in readiness 10 proceed at mo-
ment's notice The reserve supplies for
such a movement OF troops have been
accumulated and arrangements have
been made for reinforcements II needed.
IT may appear TO the officers IN Texas
that this vigilance is altogether unnec-
essarv. but the Information from Mexico
CITY indicates that any time there may
be an outbreak which will require Amer
ican Intervention. The opposition OF the
Department OF State 10 such "A course
does not make II any less obligatory on
the part of the War Department TO be
i'm readiness. and instructions TO this et-
feet have been sent TO General carter at
Texas city; General T. III. Bliss, com
mnnding the cavalry division at Fort
sam Houston. and General H. l. Scott,
commanding the ID Cavalry Brigade, at
FL Paso.
MomentariIy Calm.
For the moment the news dispatches
from Mexico are not especially alarm
ing A report received to-day from
Mexico City stated that the situation In
the south was practically normal ana
that a victory by the federals over the
Carranza forces at Monclova would un-
doubtedly relieve the situation in Du-
range and Torrcon.
The Secretary Of State refused to-day
10 discuss the administrations plans with
regard 10 the adoption of any new policy
in Mexican affairs. He deprecated any
agitation of the matter. and said that the
newspapers had been guilty OF eXag-
Geration.
II is reported from Frontera that the
southern section Of Tabasco is peaceful.
but the northern part is invaded by
marauders. Some American plantations
are within the trouble zone.
Eagle Pass. Tex. July M-Monclova.
which was captured by federals last
Thursday. to-day was almost completely
surrounded by ConstitutionalIsts. who ex-
pected 10 attack the city as soon as re-
Inducements arrived from Cuartra Ciene-
gas. The federals number less than
fifteen hundred
An order was put in force on the
southern side OF the Rio Grande to-day
forbidding any Mexican TO cross TO
American soil here without a pass.
Fl paso Tex Julv I-Juan Dozale
chief Of staff for Pancho villa, is to-
day at Nogales. Sonora consulting with
Governor Pesquiera relative to assist
ance. at least I'm the form OF field pieces
for Villas army. in attacking Juarez.
Villa Is reported to-day TO have sent
five hundred OF his command back 10
Casas Grandes. $50 miles southeast OF
Jusrez where on Saturday his rebel gar
risOn was reported attacked by inde
pendents under Maxine Castillo, sup
posed TO be operating for the federal
government.