Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-14
ITORS' PLOT
BORDER TO BE
ROBBED BY U. S.
Thousands Of Mexicans
Also in Conspiracy to
Start Revolt
AGENTS ON CLOSE GUARD

WASHINGTON, March 14.--Thousands
Of Mexic7hs on the American side of the
border, Eho are pledged to the so-called
plan ~ San Diego, which contemplates
seizurb Of a strip OF territory from the
UniteN States. are ready to make trouble
Tor fliis country as soon as the American
forces under General Pershing cross the
border In snrsuit of Villa and his outlaws
Information to this effect has been
placed In the hands of General Funston
by the Department Of Justice.
Agents Of the Department OF Justice are
scattered all along the border In order
TO keep close track of all of these per-
sons. The, Government intends that every
move Of the men known TO be pledged to
the plan is checked. and at the first hos
tile movement these men will be arrested.
The Magoilists, who are the leaders of the
plan. are declared to have agents all along
the International boundary, and Il Is re-
ported here that they aided villa in his
attack upon Columbus. N. NJ
AT the same time the secret agents Of
the Government are conducting a gen.
eral investigation in the United States of
activities of certain Mexican sympathiz.
ers and traitorous Americans, who in the
past have Furnished Villa with cash and
munitions, These men, It is understood,
have favored action by Villa that would
force general intervention by the United
states. At the White House and State
Department It was stated today that the
efforts 70 make trouble between General
Carranza and the Administration have
been traced directly TO this group.
This matter was under consideration OF
the Cabinet, and the question of how ac-
tion could be taken against the leaders
In the movement has been discussed The
President is said to have already asked
Attorney General Gregory whether It
would not be possible to indict those re.
sponsible for this movement
One of the questions seriously confront.
ing the Administration today was the
matter Of raising funds for the punitive
expedition. Not only will much cash be
required for troop movements, but as "a
precautionary measure, the quartermas.
ter's department must arrange to hold
rolling stock In readiness for the trans
portation of National Guardsmen to the
border should that be necessary. AL
ready motor trains are being contracted
for for immediate delivery and officials
are seeking additional aeroplanes for pur-
chase.
Secretary of State Lansing was en-
route to Pinehurst, N. c., today for rest
Before leaving he made II plain that he
expected no real trouble with Carranza
The American acceptance of the original
Carranza suggestion, that Carranza troops
be permitted to cross the American border
coupled with the official statement issued |
on behalf of the President, in the opinion |
of the secretary not alone legalizes the 1
expedition against Villa but is of char !
acter that will prove acceptable to the |
First Chief"
That view, however, is not held by the
majority OF army officers who have had |
border experience. They insist that villa |
and leaders of the anti
American agitation in Mexico will con-
ttnue their efforts to stir up trouble. The |
word has quietly gone forth tnat real |
trouble may be expected in the Browns
vile district so soon as the details of the |
starting of the American expedition |
reaches there. But on how good authority |
1his tip comes officials say they do not /
know.