New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-10
CAPITAL BACKS
PURSUIT OF VILLA
Continued from page |

might no. object. it being understood
that the American troops were simply
| hunting down bandits. whose dep-eda-
tions have long been source OF trou-
/ bic not only 70 the United States but
/ 10 the de facto government.
Formally, there is no authority for
the presence of the American troops
in Mexico. In fact, the patrols along
| the border have from the beginning
| of disorders there been under orders
not 20 cross under any consideration.
! If the provocation had not been so
great the officers responsible for the
/ action would to-day face courtmartial
! Suggestions that Colonel Slocum, in
command at Columbus. might be court
martialled, however, were secuted by
some officials, while at the War d.
partment itself the subject was not
discussed.
Troops Not Eecalled.
Newton d. Baker, who became Sec
rotary OF War to-day, conferred over
the situation with President Wilson to-
night Three hours later Mr.. Baker
said no order. had been sent for the
recall Of the American soldiers.
/ Major General Scott, Chief OF Stan,
/ telegraphed General Funston. at Fort
Sam Houston, in command Of the bor-
der forces, for all details available. lie
said the policy G. the government
would not be outlined until General
Fun-ton's reply had been received.
What had been done toward strength
ening the forces near Columbus or rein
| forcing the little command that had
ridden against the bandits apparently
was not known at the War Department
tonight. General Funston has full au-
/ thority on the border and is making
! such troop movements as he thinks nee
essary. Even he. however, is distant
from the scene, and so far is not fully
! informed as 10 what Colonel Slocum
/ has done
A brief report reached the depart
ment during the day telling OF the raid,
| and afterwsrd General Funston relayed
n dispatch from Brigadier General Per
shing telling of a telephone report
/ from Colonel Slocum and announcing
that five troops had been sent across
the border, with instructions TO go not
more than two miles.
General Funston's Report.
Tonight General Funston sent this
telegram to General Scott:
"The only information that | have of
our troops having crossed the border Is
newspaper reports. Report from Colo
mel Slocum most meagre. in spite OF
particulars. | wired him this after.
noon for full report. Will forward
| further details as soon as | can get
J them.
--latest report from Colonel Slocum
says forty-sX Mexican soldiers killed.
Seven seriously wounded. now in camp.
We had seven men killed. two officers
and five men wounded They will re-
cover"
There are more than 1000 cavalry
and a battalion Of the 4th Mountain
| telegram TO him this morning for full
| Artillery with twelve mountain guns IN
the territory between Douglas, Arz.
End Fl Paso. Tex. They could be as
sembled at any point within twenty
four hours. In the same territory are
eight regiments of infantry. The 9Th
Field Artillery and another battalion
Of the ith Field Artillery, making an
additional force Of approximately s.
COO infantrymen and thirty-six field
and mountain guns, which could be
gathered at Columbus within two days
The mountain battery is designed
especially for fighting OF the character
that the troops would encounter should
they continue further the pursuit OF
the bandits. The guns are carried on
mules and accompanied by an ammu-
milton train. which would permit them
TO operate with the cavalry in the hills.
Call Invasion Proper.
Officials who agreed il was proper
for the troops TO enter Mexico to-day
in pursuit of the bandits, but who
would not countenance such al entry
q fter the massacre of Santa Ysabel, de-
clared the two situations were not
analogous. To-day, it was pointed out,
there was an invasion of American ter.
ritory for the purpose Of murder and
destruction. The Santa ISABEL affair
was on Mexican territory.
II also became known that the State
Department considers itself 10 be on
more satisfactory ground under the ex.
istlng circumstances than IL would bs
If permission TO have troops cross tho
border previously had been asked.
The Carranza government would have
had difficulty in complying with such a
request because of probable spprehen-
sion that its opponents would appeal 10
popular sentiment against any inter