The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-05-24
CARRANZA TROOPS
ON WAY TOWARD BORDER
Army Officers Believe "Show Of Force" Is to Back Up
Renewed Demand for Withdrawal-Letcher
to Confer To-day.

WASHINGTON. May 23.-Thirty thou
fantry. cavalry and field artillery. are
moving northward toward the American
border, according to reports received at
the state department to-day from Amer
lean consuls in northern Mexico.
Although the reports were submitted
merely as rumors that are in circulation
in northern Mexico. the War Depart
ment is understood to have forwarded
them to Gen. Funston for his informa-
lion. 1t liz regarded M unlikely by mem
bcrs Of the General Staff that a we'll
equipped army OF any such size could be
mustered by Carranza at this time.
a; the same time. in view OF appar-
emily we'll authenticated reports from the
bo-der that Carranza is preparing to
acnd another note to Washington de-
handing a withdrawal Of the American
forces from Mexico. 1t is regarded as
possible that he may intend making some
show of force to back UP his demand.
Army officers are particularly anxious
to find out II any OF Trevins com
mand. which was to be sent into the
i'arral district against the bandits. have
come further north than the Chihuahua
city line, which. according to the in
forma agreement between Gems.
Scott and Obregon, WAS to divide the
operations Of the american and Next
can forces.
u.- aL.. A..
Marion +. Le,cher. rnited States
Consul at Chihuahua. arrived IN Wash
ington to-day to confer with state De-
rartment officials concerning conditions
generally In Mexico. lie explained that
the proposed conference OF American
consuls on the border had not taken
place for the reason that the others who
were to attend-Hanna of Monterey.
Edwards OF Juarez. Simpich OF Nogales.
Coen Of Durango and Schmutz of
.Aguascallentes-have not all arrived at
FL Paso. lie expects to meet and con-
fer with them on his way back to his
post.
Although loath TO discuss the military
situation in the Chihuahua district. MIR.
Letcher is understood TO have brought
TO Washington an extremely gloomy pic
ture OF conditions generally. He il said
to have told friends to-day that more
different kinds of money are in circula-
ton in Chihuahua h ever before. but
that all OF IL is practically worthless.
since the massacre OF the eighteen
Americans at Santa Ysabel 10y Nillista
bandits last January. he Is quoted as
saying, all of the sinelters in the Chi
huahua district have been closed. in con.
sequence of which thousands OF persons
are out of wora. Food conditions are
again serious.
IOpes 20 re Executed.
Before leaving Chihuahua Consul
l.etcher received fiom the local car
rama authorities assurances that Pablo
Lopez. the Villista leader captured by
~tarranzistas Will he executed. l.ctcNer
was informed that Lopez had confessed
having participated IN the Santa isahcl
massacre and N the raid on Columbus.
y. VI.
Mr.. I.etcher also told friends he has
heard nothing definite concerning the
Whereabouts Of Villa since the Column
bus raid, ri which occasion. reports in
tnihuahua city nav II, the bandit chief
tain was seriously wounded. On the day
that the Consul lef, Chihuahua the hrst
Of the detachm nts OF '~arranzistas. who
We're expected to operate in the Parral
district under ten. TreyinO, arrived