Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-10

tions were under way for the with
drawal Of the American punitive ex-
petition from Mexico without the
capture Of Pancho Villa.
On the contrary, he asserted that the
original orders to the expedition stand
unchanged. that up to the present mo-
ment no consideration had been given
to any suggestion for the withdrawal
of the troops before their mission has
been performed, that the vanguard Of
the Pershing expedition was now on
hot trail after Villa and he hoped
there was a fair chance for early sue
cess.
There is no foundation whatever
for that statement" said the secretary
OF war, when his attention was in
vited Saturday afternoon to published
reports that preparations were be-
lieved to be under way for the with
drawal of our troops from Mexico.
These reports were revived by the fact
that Gen. Scott had Saturday made
public the original orders of March 10
TO Gen. Funston. Because these orders
did not contain any statement to the
effect that the expedition was to cap
ture Villa the inference was drawn
that Gen. Funston had authority 10
withdraw the troops when Villas band
was dispersed or broken up. These in
ferences were without foundation.
Secretary Baker asserted most en-
phatically.
The object of the expedition was
stated when it was undertaken" said
the secretary of war. 1T has never
been changed. No other orders have
been given and the expedition is busily
pursuing that object now with what l
nope is a fair chance Of early success.
wish to state that at this moment
the original orders stand UNMARRIED, and
there has been absolutely no change
in them,
Official Text Of Order
lntmatlons that the troops might soon
pe' Withdrawn without capturing Villa
were based on the fact that the Original,
orders. to, Gent. Funston, not before
printed. had been made public. These
orders were issued on March 10. and bore
out the statement to the effect that a
large expedition would be sent into Mex
leo after the Villa band. Gen. Scott was
SATURDAY: asked for the text. of the orig
inal orders to- Gen. Funston, and in re-
Spouse to this request made the orders
public d.
The official text Of the order reads:
You will promptly organize an ade-
quate military force of troops, under the
command OF Brig. Gen. John ]. Per-
enihg' and will direct him to proceed
- promptly across the border in pursuit Of
tne mexican bands which attacked the
q town Of Columbus, N. M. and the troons
Stnere on the morning of the 9Th inst.
THESE troops will be withdrawn tn
american territory as soon as the de
n facto government of Mexico is able to
;arelieve them of this work. In any event
y Inc work of these troops will be regarded
as finished as soon as Villas band or
!. bands are known to be broken up.
- In carrying out these instructions vou
are authorized to employ whatever guides
- or interpreters are necessary and Won
= are given general authority to employ
such transportation. including motor
transportation with necessary civilian
personnel, as may be required. {.
.,(Deletion).
You are instructed to make all an
-, preeiable use of the aeroplanes at San
x Antonio for observation. Telegraph for
Whatever reinforcements or material YOU
need. Notify this Office as to force Sc
.lected and expedite movements (Signed)
-, MCCAIN, Adjutant General.
ms order was sent by Brig. Gen.
Mccain, the adiuta ut general of the
army. by order of Secretary Baker.
transmitted through Gen. Scott. the
'hIet OF staff. After the text of these
original orders were made public it
sNas commended in certain circles that
nthey did not in SO many words conform
to the statements made by President
Wilson as to the purpose of the expe-
EDITION, but that the orders explicitly
provided that the troops should be
Withdrawn as soon as the Carranza
forces are able to handle the situation,
and that Gen. Pershing's work should
-pe regarded as finished as soon as VIII
las band or bands are known to be
tbroken up.
: Wnile the orders do not specifically
say that the expedition is to remain
until 1t captures Villa, it was pointed
out In official circles Saturday that
S'there could be no installing the pur-
pose of the punitive expedition. It
was pointed out that Immediately af-
ter the cabinet meeting of March 10
ethe same day that the orders were
ISSUED through Brig. Mccain to
Maj.-Gen. Funston President Wilson
issued this statement through Secre-
tary Tumulty at the White House.
An adequate force will be at once
sent in pursuit of Villa with the sin
gle purpose of capturing him and put
ing stop to his forays. This can and
will be done in entirely friendly aid
OF the constituted authorities in Mex
leo and with scrupulous respect for
sthe sovereignty of that republic"
q Reiterated by President
. That the purpose of the expedition
was intended by President Wilson to
ebc to capture Villa and dispose of his
,marauders is a fact not dependent for
scorroboration merely on the statement
originally issued at the White House
on March 10. Whatever the construc-
ton placed on the orders that were
issued that day to Gen. Funston. it is
a known fact that Is days after the
orders for the punitive expedition were
given. President Wilson again an.
snounced that the purpose of the move
AvHts ~