Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1916-07-13
MICH. GUARDSMEN
REACH THE BORDER
31st Regiment Fully Located
In Camp Cotton. The
Trip was Uneventful
VILLA RAIDS SMALL TOWN
Carranza Proposes Joint Con-
ference-Men at Camp
Ferris Restless

After a ride of so hours through
portions of nine states, covering a
distance Of 1,947 miles, the Thirty
first Regiment, Michigan National
Guards, is encamped in Camp Cotton,
one mile from the heart of FL Paso,
only a few blocks from the banks of
the Rio Grande river. The first sec
ton Of the American contingent came
in during the afternoon and was foil
owed at intervals by the other three
sections. AS soon as the trains arrive
the equipments and supplies were
placed on wagons and moved 10 the
temporary home of the Michigan men.
The word temporary is used for it is
not known how long the Michigan
Guardsmen will be at the front
There are whisperings that after an
eight day quarantine the troops will
be sent on further west to the Arizona
border The trip from Camp Grayl-
ing to FL Paso was uneventful.
Great care was taken by the govern
ment and the Sante Fe railroad that
10 harm should come to the troops.
Guards were stationed at important
points along the last three hundred
miles of the run.
There is no definite news from
Washington relative to the sttlement
Of the border trouble. Carranza has
been informed however, that return
of secretary Lansing from his vaca-
tion will not be necessary TO commence
negotiations. 1t is expected at the
state department that Carranza will
propose a joint conference instead Of
informal conversation between Am
bassador Arredondo and the depart
ment. The government Will accede
to any plan that will assure quick
action.
A dispatch from the state depart
ment announces that the Mexican
Northwestern railroad has been open
ed for the shipment of supplies TO
American troops in Mexico. This
news follows the lifting of the en-
barge on food and other importations
into Mexico.
According to an official report sent
out from Chihuahua City Villa, with a
retreating army, attacked Carranza
troops near Parral, but was defeated
after savage engagement. The
bandits suffered heavy losses. 1t is
thought Villa was planning to drive
off the Parral garrison in order to OBJ
tain ammunition and supplies.
Congress passed another appropri-
alton bill. aggregating $3,000,000
Tuesday. The appropriation will be
divided by the war department in the
following manner: S1,200,000, for
alteration and maintenance of mobile
artillary material, S360,O0O for stor-
age facilities, for reserve supply of So
dunn nitrate and S307 800 to increase
storage facilities at the Rock Island
arsenal.
The bill was passed without dis
cent after representative Cannon had
attack the presidents Detroit speech
and the Mexican policy which Mr..
Wilson enunciated there. He declared
for occupation for the purpose Of
restoration of order and then evacu-
alton with such protective treaty as
was made in the case of Cuba.
The troops left at Camp Ferris are
growing restless for a change from
the cool summer breeze of Northern
Michigan to the hot alkali sands Of
the Mexican border. Every time an
official notice comes into the camp the
runner starts Immediately that the
time to move has arrived, and yet
only a small portion of the Michigan
men have been ordered to the front.
Provisions to pay all the men who
Joined the militia after the mobiliza-
ton order was issued, but who were
rejected for physical disability, for
the time they passed in camp, were
made at the meeting of the state mill
tary board Wednesday. The United
States government will not pay those
who have been rejected, but when the
checks are made out regular pay will
be forwarded to rejected recuits, TAX
ing the amount out Of the state funds.
Fifty-five members Of Company II,
Thirty-third infantry were given a
severe repemanding in summary court
Wednesday, by Major Wilson. The
men failed to appear at drill, the fol
lowing breakfast, at which there was
shortage of potatoes and bread.
The aero Club of Micigan will send
an aeroplane to Camp Ferris this
week. The Club is financing the en-
tire project and will send w. II
Blakley Of New York, and four exper-
! fenced airmen. TO instruct the state