Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-11
AMERICAN ARMY
CROSSES MEXICO
BOUNDARY TODAY

CONTINUED from Page one)
State department. expressed regret at tho
Columbus massacre. but made no COM
ment on ths proposal OF sending American
troops TO hunt down the bandits. Eiiseo
Arredondo. his ambassador here. was Of
ficially Informed OF the American govern
ment's action. He only replied that he
would communicate with his chief. He
has previously expressed the personal
opinion that the movement would not be
opposed.
State department officials declined 20
say what their attitude would be n oen-
eral CarranEa took . hostile position
They said the United States would settle
that question when Il arose. II an offer
Of co-operation OF Carranza troops Il
made. they said, II could hardly be re-
fused. Today General Carransa ordered
5000 troops from various garrisons 10
move upon the villa forces.
Just a Punitivs Measure.
The effect Of their advance probably
would be to keep the villa bandits near
the border. but Secretary Lansing an
nounced during the day that no matter
how far Into Mexico Il was necessary Tor
American forces 10 penetrate. or to what
numbers II became necessary 10 increase
WV
sider the expedition q punitive one-one
purely for the suppression OF outlaws.
For such action there Il ample precedent
in International law and, IN fact. IN the
relations OF the United States with Mex
co.
How many Of the 1900 troops now on
the border will be employed has not beer
fully determined. The general plan viii
he 10 distribute the infantry TO guard
the border towns. whiio the cavalry will
be released for securing the mountains
deserts. sage brush and arryos. In or
der not TO weaken the defense OF border
towns Il may be necessary TO move othel
troops from interior posts to the border
Guard May Have Chance.
No prospect OF using the National Guart
exists In the situation tonight. but ans
larger scale OF operations would involve
Il. No orders have been given 20 th'
navy. TIE fleet with more than io.Oo
bIueiaeksts and marines available foi
landing duty. is on the winter drillinI
grounds off Guantanamo, within essl
Saiiing distance Of Mexican waters
should anti-American demonstrations o
uprising endsnger American or other for
sigpers.
While the government counts the nava
forces as available. there is every dis
position 20 do nothing I'm the way Of
naval demonstration which might be re
garded as menacing carranza. froT
whom the United States hopes and eN
poets cooperation. passive at least.
not active.
In sharp contrast TO the stirring scene
IN congress two years ago when Pres
dent Wilson ordered the fleet 20 Yer
Cruz. the presidents action today wa
received with marked complaeency 1
both house and senate. Members ha
prepared TO make speeches urging actiol
but when word went around that n
president had ordered In the troops. e.
presEions OF approval were heard on bo,
sides of the chambers.
Give President Rein.
Senators FAN and Mccumber. republ
cans. both introduced resolutions propo
ing occupation and policing Of Mexi
with large forces, but they consented
permit them 20 be referred 20 the forsil
relations committee without eebate. II
pleas OF the administration leaders 70
the president deal with the situation
its present phase seemed 70 be Roeectat
all around.
The president outlined bis position ful
70 senator stone and Repressntati
Flood. chairman Of the foreign affai
committees. Soon sfteFward Mr.. no
informed the house committee and Sc
ator stone called meeting OF the sena
committee for tomorrow morning for Il
same purpose. The object Of admin
trafion leaders Win be 10 prevent as 4