Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-10
U. S. Authorities Interested in
Today's Dispatches, But Sec
retaries Withhold Comment.
USE OF THE RAILROADS
STILL UNDER DISCUSSION
State Department Advices Indicate
De Facto Government Contemplates
Strong Hint to United States.

Secretary Lansing and Secre-
tarv Baker both declined to COM
ment today on border reports that
an agreement between Washing
ton and the Carranza government
had fixed "dead-line beyond
which the American troops would
not go in their pursuit of the
Villa bandits.
Secretary Baker declared in answer to
questions that such an agreement would
come under the pending protocol and a
subject not under the War Department s
jurisdiction.
Little Known of Protocol.
The proposed protocol. of which little
has become known. still is under discus
sion at Gen. CarranZa's provisional cap
itaI, Queretaro. Special Agent Rodgers
left the provisional capital for Mexico
Gen. Carranza's headquarters soon, when
the negotiations will be resumed.
At both the State and War depart
ments it was said nothing was known of
reports of massing of Carranza troops on
Gen. Pershing's rear. State Department
dispatches located Villa heading toward
Parral.
night for a brief visit to his home al
Cleveland. He intends to return We'd
nesday.
Carranza Officials Anxious.
State Department dispatches today in
dicate that officials of the Mexican de
facto government are viewing with
some anxiety the continued presence of
American troops in Mexico Cne dis
patch authoritatively was described to-
day as containing a hint that certain
Mexican officials believed the purpose
of the American punitive expedition
had been accomplished. This belief
was said to be based upon the as
sumption that the bandits under Villa
have been dispersed.
Consul General Rodgers. it was learned
today. has advised the department that
the de facto government officials at Quere-
taro had intimated to him they would like
to know how long the United States in
tended to keep the troops in Mexico. Ad-
ministration officials in a position to be
familiar with the Mexican situation said
the de facto government had not set a
date upon which they thought the Ameri-
can troops should be withdrawn 1t was
admitted in various quarters, however,
that such action by the de facto govern
ment would not be surprising.
Dispatches from consuls in various sec
tions of Mexico described conditions gen
orally as being gcol
Dispatches From Funston.
Overnight dispatches from Gen. Fun
ston to the War Department, made
public by Secretary Baker today. were
ment:
The latest dispa tch from Gen. Perish
ing. dated April s, explains infrequency
of communication by saying that the
wireless has not been able to work, and
aeroplane communication has been
difficult because of lack of suitable
landing places.
The dispatch again confirms the
early report of Villa being severely
wounded in the right knee.
Gen. Pershing reports that he has
had q very satisfactory conference
with Gen. Ferrera and expects today
to meet Gen. Gutierrez, to whom he
sent messages by aeroplane to Chi
huahua, and received back replies Of
fering full cooperation. Gen. Perish
ing's comment is that every Indication
shows the desire of the troops of the de
facto government to aid to the extent
of their ability.
Railroad Situation Improved.
General Pershing further reports that
one aeroplane was badly disabled in land
ing April s. leaving only five out of the
original eight now in serviceable condi-
ton, but it is evident that the aeropIanes
in use are performing valuable. if not in
service and that great reIi-
ance is placed upon them.
Secretary Baker received word today
that the railroad situation in Mexico
was much improved and that supplies
in increasing quantities were going
forward to the American troops in
Mexico He informed the President !
hat all reports from the border indi-
Gated the CarranZa forces were CO.
operating in the pursuit of Villa
Secretary Baker said he had no in
formation regarding Ell Paso rumors |
lized along the American line of COM
He also declared Gen. |
Funston had not indicated need for !
additional troops, either in Mexico or |
.ecruits recently authorized hv Con- !
sress to fill the border regiments.
Supplies Are Being Shipped.
Large quantities of supplies are ap- |
being shipped on the Mexican i
railway from Ell Paso bv I
private shippers. ultimately destined |
.or Gen. Pershing, Secretary Baker |
stated.
Such supplies will be bought by Gen. |
commissary department. An
other train load of forage, canned |
goods and other supplies is reported to
have left JuareZ.
The first of the eight new aeroplanes
CONTINUED on Second Page.)