Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25
CAPITAL ACTIVITIES
INDICATE MEXICAN
SITUATION IS GRAVE
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Mexico City tomorrow, but it did not saw
when it would be sent here. and officia Is
were not inclined to credit it. Ambas-
sador Arredondo had no informatio
that a reply had been prepared or even
that a decision had been reached by his
government as to its next step. Special
Agent Rodgers at the Mexican capital
has reported inability as yet to give any
inkling to what may be expected
from Carranza.
If reply has been prepared in the
brief time the Carranza government
has had to study its position officials
are inclined to believe it foreshadows
a hostile answer.
Private adviCeS yesterday still pic
tured the position of Gen. CarraEza as
strongly inclined toward a peaceful
termination of the present situation.
He is said to feel that Villa is solely
that war would mean the fulfllment of
all Villa hoped for when he ordered the
dash over the line at Columbus y. NJ
War Department Getting Ready.
While the diplomatic status of the
situation shifted and changed yester-,
day with every hour. if rumors were to
be credited the steps of the War De-
partment to get ready continued. Word
came of the mastering into the fed
eral service of an Oregon National
state troops to be enrolled under
President Wilson's call last Sunday
The War Department was gratified
over the fact that 1t numbered three
commissioned officers and 143 men. or
within seven men of the full wartime
complement.
Much of the detail of the mobiliza-
ton of the guard was transferred from
the War Department by Secretary
Bakers order directing that depart
ment commanders rush the men to the
front as soon as available Reports of
progress so far give no basis for an
accurate estimate of the time it will
take to get the whole force to the
is now sent to departmental headquar-
ters and will be reported later to
Washington.
The effort to speed up mobilization
adopted Friday in the House met with
delay in the Senate. The military
committee reported out the measure.
amended but still containing the draft
and consolidation sections which are
regarded as of vital Importance On
account of a memorial session. how
ever. the Senate did not act and the
authority the resolution will confer
cannot be granted now before Monday.
Would Prevent Much Delay.
The War Department awaist impa-
tiently the passage of the measure
chiefly because of its consolidation pro-
visions. 1t furnishes machinery under
which it could gather up and send to
the front promptly all guardsmen who
qualify for federal service without
waiting for incomplete companies to
be recruited to full strength. Days.
,-t,, r,nrl-c 80
Gen. Funston additional troops would
be saved, it is estimated, under this
plan.
Another step toward preparedness
for any emergency became known yes
terday. Arrangements are being per
fected for diverting large shipments of
ma chine guns and ammunition manu-
ia ctured for certain of the allied Euro
pean powers to the American army
They are urgently needed to eouip
fully the guard regiments
While no statement is available of al
tentative plans should Carranza support
the act of his commanders at Carrizal
and precipitate hostilities, there are in
dications that the complete military oc-
cupation of all northern Mexico would
be ordered. War Department officials
are known to have studied the possibili-
ties of such a movement many times
during the years of disorder beyond the
border. A definite plan of action is be-
lieved to have been mapped out. al
though it has been guarded as military
secret of utmost Importance.
Regulars to Hold the Enemy.
With enough National Guardsmen
rushed to the border to relieve regu-
lars now on patrol duty an acclimated,
well equipped force. Injured to cam
paign hardship would be made avail
able Immediately for the preliminary
he as,:1
believe. to seize and hold strategic
points while the remainder of the guard
was assembled and necessary volun-
teer regiments organized There is
every indication that President Wilson
is resolved to employ all the force at
his command If he is forced into hos
tilities, and attempt to make short.
sharp work of it by weight of superior
numbers. equipment and resources.
1t has been pointed out that Mexican
armies during the years of revolution
never have shown any inclination to
march from one battlefield to another.
The railways have dictated the lines
of march always. Battles have waited
upon the repairing of bridges, al
though only a comparatively short dis
lance separated the forces For this
reason the Mexican fuel supply is re-
garded as an important object of at |
tack. 1t has been suggested that the |
seizure of the Tampico oil fields and |
the coal regions of Coahuila might be |
promptly to cripple Mexi- |
can troop movements.
Americans continued to hasten out I
of Mexico yesterday by every possible |
route. The colony in Mexico City vir- !
tually has been transferred to Vera |
Cruz. Most of those left will be out |
in the next day or two A train left |
for the coast yesterday and another
will follow today.
Indications are that all Americana
who have not resolved to stay where
they are will be out of Mexico in less
than q week.