Evening star., 1916-06-26
HAS DRAWN IN HIS LINES
TO STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE
Brings Motor Trucks From Colum.
bus for Rapid Transportation Of
Infantry as Needed.
MEXICAN TROOPS RETREATING
Carranzista Forces Withdrawing
From Border to Interior ALI
Along Line From Browns
vile to Ell Paso.

Ell PASO, Tex, June 26.-
Gen. Pershing's punitive expedi-
tionarv force in Mexico is ready
for action if action is necessary.
Today, according to the best in
formation here, his southernmost
outpost is near Ell Vale, less than
fifty miles from Colonia Dublan,
the main base. 1t is believed that
from Ell Vale a large and mobile
force may be pointed eastward III
strategic position toward the
Mexican Central railroad. In the
neighborhood of 1900 men, III
splendid fighting trim, compose
Gen. Pershing's army. Reports
from the front indicate the high
est morale among the men.
Equipment has been put in the
best of condition. Horses an1
mules have been tested until only
the fit and strong remain. Big
motor trains, loaded with the
necessary supplies for an advance,
are lined up.
Every empty truck which re-
NAMED at Columbus has been
sent to the front to aid in the
speedy transportation of infantry.
Vigilance Has Been Redoubled.
with the lines of the Americans and
Mexicans paralleling for at least $50
miles, the rash action of some sub
here, might at any time embroil the
main commands before the exchanges
between Washington and Mexico City
are considered. Fears that events
might be thus hastened prompted bor-
der commanders to redouble their vigil
lances today. At all points soldiers
moments notice. Troop dispositions
were made with view to meeting sud
den and unexpected emergencies.
Five thousand National Guards are
expected to come to Ell Paso, 1t was
said, today.
From Columbus it is reported that
preparations are being made to care
for 10000 guardsmen
Andreas Garcia, the Mexican consul at
Ell Paso. today declared himself still
optimistic that trouble would be
avefted.
Il do not see that there need be war,
from my Interpretation Of President
Wilson's last note" he declared.
These seventeen prisoners ought not
offer an obstacle.
Mexicans Withdraw From Border.
SAN ANTONIO. Tex. June 26.-News
reaching army headquarters today
would seem to indicate that the Mex
lean forces along the Rio Grande from
Matamoros to Juarez either have with
drawn their main strength from the
border or are preparing to do SO. 1t
also is indicated that these troops are
taking station at strategic points along
a line well south Of the border where
railroad functions allow OF the rapid
handling of troops or where. the topog
raphy of the country would permit OF
a strong defense. Their new line. it is
reporsed,i parallels in way the course
Of the Rio Grande and would COM
mand the main lines of advance toward
the strategic points OF Monterey and
Saltillo, the Coahuila coal mines which
furnish the main fuel supply OF Mexico
and on which the movement of locomo-
tives depends; Paredon, the main rail-
road junction point between Monterey
and Saitillo. and Torreon. which probab bly,
will be the main base OF the Mexican
army, and Chihuahua City.
The Mexican garrisons at Matamoros
Nuevo Laredo and Juarez are said to
be mere shells. But a negligible force
Is said to be stationed opposite Del Rio
and the strongest force along the bor-
der-that at Piedras Negras, opposite
Eagle Pass-is reported preparing to
evacuate at a moments notice. The
force at Piedras Negras is commanded
by Gen. Francisco Murguia, whom Gen
Carranza is said to have had definitely
in control In times past.
Gen. Funston's forces along the bor-
der are ready and waiting for any
movement which the Mexican situation
! may make necessary.
Expect Clash to Be Precipitated.
Unless some overt act of the de facto
government should cause it, such a
move would come only at the express
direction of officials at Washington
Army officers here express the belief
that. even should negotiations with
the Carranza government, as a result
| of the note dispatched by Secretary Of
State Lansing yesterday, be long con-
| tinued, the feeling now prevalent
among the Mexicans across the border
would cause some act that must pre-
cipitate q clash.
The complete story of the Carrizal fight.
partly told last night in the letter from
Capt Morey of the 10th Cavalry, eagerly
| is awaited by Gen. Funston Capt. Mo-
| which he announced his safe arrival at
| the main American column, would indi-
cate that his physical condition after his
ture. after he had been left. at his own
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