The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1916-06-22
WILSON REFUSES
CARRANzA DEMAND
Won't Withdraw Forces in Mexi-
co Under PerShing.
REPLY SENT TO FIRST CHEF
United States 10 Preparing for Any
EVentuaIity In RepubIlc-otflciaIs Z,
Believe show Of Force VIII
AvertEwar., =. ! 4

~ TkF''T'fti -. -.
Washington, June 20.-The United
States is preparing for any eventual
ity in Mexico. Light draft warshIps
are being assembled along the east
and west coasts of the revolution torn
republic. The entire strength O; the
mobile National Guard of the nation
Is being assembled in camps ready for
active duty along the border. No pre-
caution is being overlooked that would
place the country in readiness for a
state of war with the de facto gov
eminent Of Mexico or to protect at any
cost the southern boundary lines.
Yet ,whlel every open movement
spelled war, the administration off,
Gals insisted that their actions are en-
1irelS precautionary. If war must
come-hhd there are few here who
believe that 1t cun be averted-then
the administration intends placing the
responsibility upon General Carranza
and his advisers. The administrations
reply to the Carranza ultimatum of
tfhressweeks age demanding the United
Stiss withdraw its punitive expedi,
HWR fromsafeSieo and allow the Orr
RAnzd forces to Continue, the pursuit OF
villa was sent to Carranza last night.
Point Blank Refusal.
While the text Of the reply is with
held for the present, 1t Is understood
That. IT refuses point blank to con-
tS'fdef any Withdrawal Of the American
punitive expedition. 1t is emphatically
- stated that the American forces are on
Mexican soil In pursuance to orders
to eXtermlnate bandits; that by no
metli6d of reasoning can their pres
ence there be construed as q violation
of Mexican sovereignty, In view of the
public position taken by the president
In ordering the expedition to proceed,
and that they will remain there until
tic United States is completely con.
a.yipced hot III tbs, forces Of. the de facto
government arc I'd position to deal
with the situation.
General Carranza is understood to
he given frank warning that his forces
must commit no overt act. 1t Is I'M
tlcrstood that responsibility for any
break that may occur Is placed direct
~ on the de factO government, and
that II Is pointed out that If the Car
ranzista forces ip northern Mexico had
CO-opernted with the Americans the
bandit forces along the international
boundary line would now have been
stamped out. Instead attention Is
called to the fact that since the Co
lumbus IN. N.Y. raid there have been
other Outrages that have shown
the promises of the Carranza govern
ment not to have been kept.
Mexico In New Demands.
The Mexican government, through
Ambassador Designate Arredondo
here has demanded Of the state de-
rnrtment that orders be issued to the
commanders of all United States war
ships in Mexican waters not to land
any men ut any point on Mexican soil.
Ambassador Arredondo admitted that
he had made such request. by order
OF General Carranza. He said that
the request was made to prevent GER
tain attack upon any American ma
rines or seamen should they land.
The Mexican embassy also con-
tirmcd reports of a clash between
American sailors and Mexicans ut Ma
, zntIan In which two .Mexicans were
wounded and two American officers
taken prisoner. According to the en-
hnssy officials the American officers
later were released.
1T Is to prevent any such occurrence
In the future that we have asked that
American sailors be kept on board of
their vessels" said Arredondo.
The president and many of his advis-
ers were hopeful that the calling out
Of the National Guard for border duty
would impress the Mexican officials
with the fact that the administration
means business and would check the
h9theads In the Carranza service who
have been advocating attacking the
Americans.
But the chiefs of the army and navy
do not expect this. They declare that
the tottering Carranza government
wants war with the United States In
the hope that, through such action,
he (Carranza) can solidify all Next
cans in his behalf. And the war col
lege Is going ahead with its plans for
II real campaign In Mexico on this
bnsis.