The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-11

rayy to Vera Cruz. They were pre-
dicated on the general belief at that
time that the landing of troops on
Mexican soil would force the people
IF isex!co to armed resentment.
/ IS known that these plans con-
template:
FIRST An initial force of $50, 900
men and An ultimate force within the
fir wear Of 5000 men.
Second. The cooperation OF the
nas7. with special reference to the
capture OF Vera Cruz and Tampico.
Third. The launching OF an army Of
] $4,000 men from a point on the Rio
Grande, which was selected This
army was to follow the Monterey
route. followed by General Taylor in
the. Mexican war of 1S48. Other
divisions OF the 100000 were to be
landed at Tampico and Vera Cruz.
Fourth. The navy was expected to
reduce those two cities. land marines.
proceed to outer limits and await the
arrival OF troops Oh navy transports
and government transports.
Fifth. There was to be concen-
tratfon OF the armies proceeding inde-
pendentiy from Vera Cruz. Tampico
and Monterey for advance on the ma
tional capital
The basic idea of this campaign was
TO be it's swiftness 1t was realized
that any other kind of campaign
which would permit large bodies of
rebels to get into the mountains would
mean war OF probably many years.
This plan would. of course. have to
be approved by the President. There
is every reason TO believe that should
the sending of troops across the
border be resented in Mexico, the
Z United States government wonld-take
I the plan out of its pigeon hole at the
war college and put II into Immediate
/ operation.
No News From Carranxa.
Secretary lansing was without in
I formation tonight as 10 CarranZa's at
titude. The Secretary called Elisio
Arrendondo, Carranza's ambassador
designate, to the state Department
late today to acquaint him with the
Presidents order 10 the troops to
enter Mexico.
Senior Arredondo Immediately tele-
eraphed the text of the Presidents
order. with the explanation. TO Car
rama The State Department has re-
ceived no word from Carranza since
the Columbus massacre. except brief
note in which he expressed his re-
greet that the Carranzista, forces had
not more adequately defended the
town.
Y When Carranze sent this message
, he had not been appraised OF yester-
Z days invasion OF Mexican soil by
Z United States troops.
: After his conference with Mr.. Lam
! sing. Senior Arredondo. who speaks
! English but slightly, said through an
interpreter that he had no authority
to approve or disprove of the plans to
send American troops into Mexico. His
attention was called to the report that
the Mexican consul at Ell Paso had ex-
pressed the opinion that Carranza
would not object. The consul had no
authority to make such a statement
7 the ambassador said. Only General
Carranza was authorized to speak for
the Mexican de facto government he
declared,
A Punitive Expedition.
Secretary Lansing held it was not
necessary to ask General CarranZa 8
consent to enter Mexico, at 1t was
merely a punitive expedition and one
for which there were many, precedents.
Secretary Lansing made 1t plain that
he had not asked Carranza whether he
would object to the expedition, nor
had he requested Carranza 10 co.
operate with the United States in cap
turing Villa. If Cafranza offers to CO.
operate In the capture OF villa, he said.
| the United States government would
accept the offer. but no steps would
be taken to obtain this cooperation.
officers of the army general star
, realize that 1t will be big task to run
down Villa and scatter his forces.
whether Carranza should aid or re-
main passive. Villa is believed to have
retired 10 the mountain ranges a short
distance back from the border These
! mountains abound with cuts and
gorges which NAV be defended by
J small band against a greatly superior
force.
! Realizing. therefore. that the first
exped!tionary force of 1900 men
may not ps sufficient to capture the
/ villa forces. the War Department has
given orders to cavalry regiments
at posts remote from the border to
be ready t,t move TO posts in Texas
/ New Mexico and Arizona. These reg
iments are the First, at Monterey,
Cal; the Fifth, which Is divided be-
tween Fort Myer. Va, Fort Sheridan,
III. and Fort Leayenworths Kas.:: the
, Second, which Is at Fort Sheridan,