El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-11-02
FUNSTON MAY CD
OVER THE LINE
Is Going to Protect Ameri-
cans, He Says; Passes
Through to Douglas.

Gen. Frederick A Funston and the
United States force at Douglas, Ariz-.
may cross the international line and
drive Mexican warfare far from the
border if developments make such
drastic action seem necessary
Travelling through from San Antonio
on his way to Douglas to assume com
mand Of the situation there arising out
Of the battle at Aqua Prieta in which
some 5000 Mexican soldiers under
PanchO Villa and PlutarcO Elias Gales,
are WaginE desperate fight Tor su-
premacy in Sonora, Cen Funston
stopped over an hour between trains
Monday afternoon.
I cannot say definitely what the
United States troops at Douglas viii
do" said Gen. Funston to a Herald re-
porter. IF bullets or a shell or two
land on Arizona soil by chance only,
there viii probably be no drastic action
taken during the fighting across the
line But If q premeditated. or lnten-
uOnal attack is made on American soil,
1 can neither affirm nor deny the state
ment that United States forces viii
cross the border
Might Cross the Line.
IF il is serious enough 10 warrant
drastic action, and merely firing across
the border does not quen the units
making assault into Douglas and Arr
IONA soil. / cannot declare myself on
how far 7 shall go. / can neither say
the United States troops will not cross
the line, nor that they viii do so De
velOpments will tell No; I viii not
deny that United States troops may
cross into Mexico to drive Mexican
warfare far enough from the border 70
insure safety to Douglas If a premedi-
tated attack should be made on Doug
las I cannot predict the situation TO
arise out Of this
The Douglas situation is today the
most serious one along the entire
United ates-Mexico boundary line
and il is my duty to he there
Has Enough Troops.
"Wnl there be any likelihood Of send
ing more achievements to the troops
already accumulated at Douglas
This was another question from the
i do not think so. We have enough
men there now 20 take care OF any
situation which may arise. 7 think
Gen. Funston had been advised by
wire all along the route from san An
tonic on the progress OF the lighting
nj Aqua Prieta- He had heard Of the
two shells which sailed over Douglas
at the opening OF Villas artillery fire.
and he knew Of the probably fatal
woundinE OF an American near the
United States branch customs house at
Douglas.
PerShing Meets Funston.
Cen John J. Pershing met his
superior at the depot. and for an hour
Fl Paso's international situation was
discussed. with the result of the long
conference guarded Maj. W f. Hay,
chief OF staff TO Gen. Funston. ac-
cOmpanied him on his quick trip
through from san Antonio. Mai J. L
Hines waited on the commander Of the
United States border forces with Gen
PershiuE.
A bare five feet five inches in
height. with close cropped. iron gray
beard, Gen Funston alighted from the
G. r. train at Sust o'clock Gen.
Pershing, a good six inches taller, was
the first TO greet him They at once
went into conference in corner OF the
union depot. around the corner from
the ticket office Gen. Funston was
grave and scarcely turned his head
to right or left