The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-03-16
WASHINGTON
KNOWS NOTHING
OF the Border Troops Movements. II
Troops Have Crossed the Border,
the War Department Does Not
Know IL.

Washington, March 1j.-If Ameri-
can troops have crossed the border
into Mexico. officials of the war de-
partment here do not know Of IT, &C.
cording to Secretary Baker.
There were several conferences on
the matter of provisioning troops,
forces to be scattered along the Dor
der to replace those withdrawn for
the expeditiOnary force and kindred
subjects. between President Wilson,
Secretary Baker and other admins
tlon officers.
In the house, too, the Mexican sit
uation cropped up, and a resolution
authorizing the president to bring the
army up to its full strength was pass
ed almost without opposition. 1t will
be brought up in the senate today.
BY cable, telegraph, radio and mail
full statements Of all that has trans
pired since the Columbus raid, and Of
the attitude Of the United States gov
eminent and its reciprocal agreement
with the Carranza government, went
forward to consuls and state depart
ment agents throughout the southern
republic This was done in order To
keep the consular officers fully in
formed so that they may correct any
misstatements or misapprehensions in
their districts; also they will be able
to advise Americans on the situation
In this connection the United States
has organized a publicity bureau in
Mexico to make known its intentions
to every resident Of Mexico, with the
exception of villa and the bandits who
raided Columbus.
The situation along the border was
explained I'm detail to the cabinet yes
terday by Secretary Baker. Troop
dispositions were indicated on militia
ry maps displayed in the cabinet room.
The secretary. it is unders TODD. out
lined the natural difficulties which
General Pershing's expedition will
have to overcome. the adverse climatic
conditions, lack of water, great
Of territory to be searched.
and poor communication lines. The
cabinet also discussed the proposal to
increase the army to its full strength.
The president has power to do this by
executive order, but with congress i'm
session 1t was deemed wiser that con-
gress should act on its own initiative.
The cabinet also con sidered adviceS
from many parts Of Mexico. all Of
reassurlns nature. There were no in
dications among these Of any anti
American feeling because Of the deter
to pursue and capture or kill
the bandits. Later the state depart
ment made public the following mes
sage from its representative at Que
retaro, where the Carranza govern.
ment is now located.
Official reports from Monterey.
and other points said good
order prevailed and conditions were
From the west coast navy
advices said the people Of the Mexican
towns appeared undisturbcd by reports
That American troops were to move
across the border. Admiral Winslow
said the situation was greeted with
satisfaction by a big majority Of the
people.
Meanwhile the censorship over all
movements on the border was drawn
lighter and few messages relating To
troop movements were allowed TO fl
.er out, either there or here. II Is I'M
lorstood the department has caution.
I'd General Funston against too full
publication Of his plans or OF the
purpose behind orders to various units
Of his force. -Four newspaper CORE
'pondents were officially designated
Turing the day to accompany the ex-
'edition, and orders were issued for
heir credentials. II is understood
General Pershing. who will lead the
expedition, fixed the number Of cor
respondents to go along. Secretary
Baker said there was no desire TO linn
t publicity, but he understood Gener-
II Pershing thought he could not ac-
,ommodate more than four newspaper
men.
s---
Hon Iohn TIor,,, N