The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-23

mated. A large part of the forces of the de facto government in northern Mexico formerly were Villa soldiers and, with their officers, have followed the bandit chieftain to many hard fought victories. ARE WELL EQUIPPED The troops under Herrera are described
 here as being probably the best equipped
 in northern Mexico, and they are said
 to be well supplied with ammunition. Luis Herrera at one time was one of Villa 8 most active aides as was his brother.
 Maclovio, who now is believed to be oper-
 ating in the state of Coahuila, with a considerable force. Rumors concerning
 the doubtful intentions of the Arrieta
 brothers, leading a force in Durango, also
 have tended to increase disquiet here
 Rebellion in Carranza's army would render the position of the American eX- peditionary force so perilous that every available soldier would be rushed in to reinforce the advancing columns. For this purpose not more than about 15,0O0 men would be available without calling out the National Guard. There are now on
 the border or in Mexico in the neigh borhood of 2500O soldiers, and in the whole of the continental United States the other mobile forces number only little more than 5000,
 All reports from the border were sent to the White House tonight, and were the subject of long conference during
 the evening between President Wilson and Secretary Baker. Afterward Mr. Ba- l.er declined to talk
 DRAFT THE PROTOCOL
 Before the Funston report arrived Coun- selor Polk of the state department and Elizio Arredondo, Mexican ambassador
 designate, had completed the draft of the protocol asked for by General Car | to Of @ American forces in Mexico and provide for cO-operat tion by the troops of the de facto government. MT. Polk and MT.
 Arredondo were in entire accord on the terms of the proposed convention, and the latter dispatched it to General Car ranza with the recommendation that it be approved. It is to become effective immediately upon being signed. State department officials insisted dur ing the day that all their reports from
 the interior of Mexico and from the border showed that conditions generally were quiet and dispatches from many
 points were made public to sustain their sta dement's.
 Soon after, however the dispatch from General Funston was received and then
 it became known that the navy depart
 ment had not heard from the gunboat
 Machias, stationed off Tampico, since yesterday afternoon. The Machias, it was said, should nave repOfl6u tOudy, put up to a late hour tonight no message had come from her commander to confirm or deny rumors that the gunboat had taken aboard for protecting foreigners at Tam pico,
 KENTUCKY TO MEXICO The navy department allowed it to be- come known that the battleship Ken lucky, once ordered to Mexican waters from New Orleans. and then diverted to Galveston, again had been ordered to pro- ceed southward and to cruise off the Mexican coast in the vicinity of Tampico. When the Kentucky was diverted it was said that it had developed there was no need of an additional warship. The war department made public no information concerning the movements of the expedition in Mexico. It was said that several dispatches had been received from General Pershng, in command of the American troops, but that they all
 were of routine nature.
 Late tonight General Funston reported to the war department that an investiga- tion proved there was no truth in a re- port that 27 army motor lorries had been found 30 miles off the line of march in
 northern Mexico with their drivers miss ing
 In Congress during the day Senator Sherman of Illinois, republican. intro-
 duced resolution to authorize the Pres ident to issue call for 50,000 volunteers to be used in Mexico. The resolution was
 placed on the table to be called up later