West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1916-05-11

after three and half hours discus
sion the American and Mexican CON
ferees agreed to hold another confer
ence, probably tomorrow.
WASHINGTON, May with 5000
additional troops under orders for the
Mexican border, including 1000 ma
tional guardsmen from Arizona, New
Mexico and Texas, administration Off
Gals felt tonight that immediate ne
cessary steps had been taken to pre-
vent further raiding of American bor-
der towns by bandits. Meanwhile the
final outcome Of the conference at FL
Paso between Major General Scott and
General Obregon, the Carranza war
minister, was awaited with consider
able anxiety.
President Wilson and his cabinet
discussed the Mexican situation to-
day. but the President had authorized
the new troop orders before his ad-
visers gathered. General Scott and
General Funston recommended early
in the day that additional forces be
sent to the border. After an en-
change of kilograms, Gen. Funston
suggested that the national guard
from the three states named be called
out i'm addition to the sending of all
the remaining regular infantry to join
his campaign. His suggestion was
promptly approved and orders dis
patched.
Some members of the cabinet were
frankly pessimistic after the meeting,
over the delay of Gen. Obregon in rat
flying the agreement he negotiated
with Gen. Scott covering cooperative
border operations including those of
Gen. Pershing's expedition. Reports
from Mexico City indicated that the
| agreement had been approved by
| General Carranza and officials here
are at a loss TO understand Obregon's
action. No word from Gen. Scott
came to enlighten them. 1t was
clearly intimated in all quarters that
there would be no change in the pol
icy of the Washington government
that the troops would stay in Mexico
until the border was safe from incur
sions; that raiders would be pursued
across the line every time they became
active, and that the whole strength OF
the national guard would be used. if
necessary, to protect the border
Secretary Baker said the question OF
calling guardsmen from other states
into the service, was not under i'm
mediate consideration. 1t was learn
ed, however, that Gen. Funston al
ready had been supplied with all pa
pers, forms and instructions neces-
sary to muster into service the guards
men of all states near the border, and
that ordinance and quartermaster
stores to outfit all such troops on a
war basis are held at convenient
points for quick distribution
Secretary Baker refused to discuss
reports that Gen. Funston had urged
that he be given a total of $50, 900 men
to maintain the border guard. 1t is
possible that the border commander
| mentioned that figure as the number
of men he thought necessary to in
sure protection of all border towns
and ranches, by providing an ade-
quate guard for each. The secretary
said General Pershing's force in Mex
leo was able to take care of itself in
any emergency.
Including the troops ordered out
today, there will be nearly $4,000 sol
diers, perhaps $4,000 along the Dor
der or in Mexico according to the best
available figures here. The war de-
Dartment has declined to public actual
numbers, but with the entire mobile
army, except five troops OF cavalry un-
der Gen. Funston's command, in ad-
dition to the 1000 or more guardsmeu
and the several thousand recruits who
are being forwarded to the regular
regiments as fast as they are muster
ed I'm, the United States has it's actual
army strung out along the 1.SOO miles
OF the international line.
Calling out the national guard for
the first time under the present mill
tia law, brings up the fact that as
written. that act authorizes the Presi-
dent to use the State soldiers either
| within or without United States ter
ritory. The provision authorizing the
use OF guardsmcn as such beyond the
border was held 10 be unconsutu-
tional by former Attorney General
| Wickersham. 70 never has been pass
ed upon by the Supreme Court. how
ever, and President Wilson has full
legal authority To- employ the state
forces beyond the border 20 be so de-
sires Only an injunction against the
war department could prevent it.
BY the terms Of the law. the guards
men must Boo mustered into tho SER
vice OF the United states before they
come under complete control Of the
Federal governmnt Their oats OF en-
'Istment t9 ibe various states make
Che acceptance 81 thig facial status
obligatory and there is Be question Of
volunteering involved ga the present
situation The full enrolled strength
of each regiment called out is liable
for service under penalty Of court or
martial action
Army omcers believe there will be
difficulty in getting oui ihe FUN
strength They anticipate instead. b.
great squirt of enlistment in the us
uonsl guard of the three states. be-