Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-03-15
General PerShing Ordered to
Seize Telegraph and Tele-
phone Stations and Guard
Against Automobiles,
EXPEDITION BELIEVED
ABOUT TO PROCEED
Next Reports From New Mex
leo Border Town Expected
to Be Of Americans Having
Crossed Line.
..v MOANING JOURNAL .,se,A, ,s.s.o WIN.

San Antonio, Tex, March l4.--The
placing Of q strict embargo on news
out of Columbus N NJ, where the
main body of Brig. Gen. John J. Per-
shing's expedtionary force awaits
word to cross into Mexico in search OF
Francisco villa, was the important de-
velopment today at Fort Sam Fous-
ton, where Maj. Gen. Frederick Fun
ston was arranging the final details of
tho expedition. In military circles an
attitude of expectancy succeeded the
tightening of the censorship
Scizcs News Sources.
Giving as his reason for the action
the fact that news dispatches were
making public all the facts that he is
trying TO keep secret from Villa, Cen
eral Funston sent orders to General
Pershing to seize the telegraph office
at Columbus, guard telephone wires
leading out of the town and closely
watch all automobile and other roads
to telegraph stations in nearby towns.
After stating late this afternoon that
no troops had yet crossed the border,
General Funston also instituted close
censorship on all proceedings within
Fort Sam Houston
Expedition TO Move Soon.
1t was indicated that the next an
nouncement from southern depart
ment headquarters would come only
with the actual start of the expedition
airy force into Mexico. Once General
pershing has led his columns across
the border, it was indicated, the CEN
sorship will he loosened and the pub
lie Will be adequately informed on the
expeditions progress.
An additional factor in the settling
down of silence on the. progress OF
events on the border, was the action of
tho Mexican consul here, 7. r. Bel
tran, this afternoon. He wired every
Mexican in his district which em-
braces the border states of Texas and
New Mexico, not to do or say anything
that might complicate the present del
icate situation. Suppression of public
discussion and unfavorable comment
was aimed at primarily, but the order
was intended also to help guard the
movements of American troops
Martial Law Possible.
At Fort Sam Houston, il was pointed
out that if the seizure of the telegraph
office and guarding Of telephone wires
and automobile routes did not put IA
stop to the leakage Of important bor-
der news at Columbus 1t might be
necessary to establish martial law.
The news situation also will he
watched closely at III Paso
The transfer of General Pershine
from El Paso to Columbus has neces-
STATED another important assignment
Brig. Gen. George Bell Jr.. command
er of the Fifth brigade, with headquar-
ters at San Antonio, was ordered by
General Funston today to proceed to
lGl Paso and assume command OF
troops there General Funston said
that the growing importance of the III
Paso eontingents nccessitated the as
signment of an officer of General
Bells rank to take charge of them.
General Bell will act under the or
ders of General Funston in looking af-
ter the border situation when the ex-
peditionary forces pass into Mexico.
The Twenty-third infantry, en- route
from Galveston, passed through Sar
Antonio today on its way to the bast
of operations.
Many Americans are arriving in Sar
Antonio on their way north after for
saking their occupations in Mexico, be
cause of fear that conditions may be
come unsettled when the American
troops pass the border.
The hustle and hurry that has pre-