Evening star., 1916-05-08

into Mexico and the questions incident
to the raid Saturday morning in sepa-
rate channels. 1t is known that Gen.
Obregon himself Is exceedingly anxious
that his agreement with Gen. Scott be
signed at the earliest possible moment
The delay. however, Is due wholly TO
the Mexican authorities
Gen. Funston sent Gen. Obregon
note on the report Of the raid soon
after the receipt of the report OF the
attack on the American outpost at
Glenn Springs. Gen. Funston said he
had information that 200 Mexicans took
part in the Big Bend raid. 1t was the
Mexican minister of wars first intima-
ton of trouble at that point. ana that
it should be caused by Villas men was
The nearest Carranza garrison OF
strength is that at Ojinaga, where
there are 900 men. Who was leadlng
the bandits that made the raid. Gen
of the report were discussed at the con-
ference, and it is understood that Cen
Obregon was told that prompt meas
ures already were being taken to get
district. both for more adequate protec-
tion of the people living there and TO
punish in whatever way possible the IN
vaders.
actually cross the border into Mexico
was not known. but IT was believed that
it was pointed out to Gen Obregon the
action taken below Columbus might be
peated below Grenn Springs Whether
they will go into Mexico will depend
largely on the circumstances they find
after their arrival from Fort Clark and
from here.
Seeking to Prevent Clash.
When Gen. Obregon and his advisers
came from their private conference in
Juarez it was indicated they had dis
cussed the course they would pursue
in the event another punitive expedi
tionary force entered Mexico. Later
Mexican official stated that all efforts
would be made to prevent the radical
element from precipitating a clash be-
tween the government forces and the
Americans in case of their crossing
the river. His attitude, he explained.
was not to offer opposition to sec
ond entry other than by protest, and
in the end to endeavor to adjust the
new move by the standard Gems. Scott
and Obregon have tried to apply to the
first.
1t became known today that Gen.
Obregon is having increasing difficulty
in retaining the local co-oeration OF
some of his men in the tentative agree
ment he has entered into with the
American staff. From Gen. Pershing's
column there came also the news that
there is an increasing number OF car
rama desertions to Villa leaders. in
some cases small detachments OF car
rama troops passing in q body to VIII
las organization.
Strengthened by these deserters,
Villas men in Chihuahua were reported
to be gathering in greater force than
ever in front of Gen. Pershing's col
umns. No disposition to doubt Gen.
Pershing's ability to care for himself
was evident at headquarters here. No
attempt was made to conceal the en-
barrassment felt by military men over
their inability to send more troops to
points on the border where uneasy res
idents have been calling for more ade-
ouate protection. The two troops sent
from Ell Paso have been regarded as al
most essential to the garrison here. but
it was decided to use them rather than
draw on the already attenuated forces
at other points.
II could use very easily $4,000 troops
in Arizona alone" said Gen. Funston
today. And there should be that many
in that one state. The number that
should be along the long southern bor-
der line of Texas should be much
greater"
Some weeks ago the drain on the IT,
600 troops in the southern department
had become so great that Gen. Funston