The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-17
Two Armies GIaring at Each
Other Across Rio Grande.
Pershing to Continue Chase of
Bandits Despite Warming.
FUNSTON NOTIFIES WAR DEPT,
BravadO Orders May Be Only
for Home Consumption.
No Advance Further South,
However, Is Contemplated.

washington. June 1.-THE United
states today apparently is nearer ac-
tual warfare with the Carranza army
tLau at any time during the late con-
trnversy with Mexico. With singing
rebukes of two Carranza generals tin
sling in Uncle Sans ears, each teen
ricallv an ultimatum, one declaring a
move by United States men IN any u-
Iection except northward would De d
signal for an attack by Mexican sol
diers the other that to cross the RIO
Craude in pursuit of bandits would be
considered an act of warfare, the two
armies marshaled along the border to-
Cay figuratlvely are glaring at each
ether. keyed up 10 hght1nS At the
crop of the hat
Warming from Mexican commanders
that any movement of American
troops except in retirement toward the
border would precipitate hosuHtles,
will not change the purpose of the
I nited States government to keep It's
expedition in northern Mexico or pre-
vent General Pershing from taking
steps necessary to insure the safety OF
his columns and deal with bandits
threatening the border No advance
iurther south is contemplated and IL
is not believed here the Carranza
forces are planning any immediate at
tack upon the present American
forces.
The war department today was
without advices from General PerSh-
ing regarding the warning SAID 10 nave
been sent him by General Trevino, the
Carranza commander at Chihuahua,
but General Funston reported the
substance of a telephone conversation
he had with General Bell, at Ell Paso,
who stated it as a fact that such
warning had been given. AS he has no
direct communication with General
Pershing ii is assumed ne was told
cf the warning by Mexican officials
at Juarez or Ell Paso- This is not
regarded as confirmation of Chihua-
hua City press dispatches saying the
warning had been given on orders
from Carranza himself
No Change in Policy.
Secretary Lansing said today the
policy of the United States was un-
changed. He added that the state de-
partnent's reply to General Carranza's S
beiligerent note demanding the with
drawa1 of the American forces prob
ably would not go forward today.
II is being held up for possible ad-
oitions covering the San Ygracio fight
and also authentic information as to
General Trevinos reported ultima
Il IN.
There were no indications at the
department that steps were being
taken to strengthen the border forces
with the additional national guards
men. While precautionary steps to-
ward mobilizing the state troops were
taken some time ago, no new orders
to that end have gone out recently.
1t was noted here that American
troops crossed into Mexico yesterday
near san Ygnacio, Texas, without be-
ing attacked. In fact, Major Gray.
commanding the two troops which
secured the south bank of the Rio
Grande in search of bandits, reported
he had received offers of co-opera-
in the vicinity.
Might Be Political Move.
Diplomatic officials were inclined to
believe that if General Trevino did
serve a warning, it was done for home
consumption rather than as a prelude
to hostilities- They thought it might
be a political move by General Car
rama designed to offset the activities
of the anti-American element in Mex
ico. without actually forcing hostili-
ties.
Border Nervousness Grows.
Ell Paso. Texas. June 17.-General
Carranza. having thrown down the
gauntlet to the United States in his
advices to General Pershing that any
troop movement east, west or south
would be regarded as a hostile act,
every preparation was being made
along the border today for any even
tuality.
Officers and soldiers of the Amer
lean garrison here were kept closely
IL their quarters Street car service
TO Juarez was at a standstill and eff
forts were made. by United States Gus
toms officials to persuade Americans
not to cross the river.
Tension was noticeable on the Mex
lean side, where numbers of civilians
were arming themselves. Reports
from authentic sources indicated that
recruiting for the army was being
pushed in all the larger cities in north
ern Mexico.
There were no indications of un-
toward developments in this vicinity
during the night.
Find New Bandit Trail
Brownsville, June lit was re-
ported tC army headquarters today
that a troop of the Third cavalry, un-
der Lieut. A. D. Newmans. had struck
hot tralf' of Mexican bandits north
of Brownsville. These bandits were
supposed to have been the same who
attacked United States soldiers neal
San Benito last night.
Bridge Builders Guarded.
San Antonio. June 17.-Genera.
'farker reported to General Funstor
rom Brownsville this afternoon that g