The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-05-05
conference OF ARMY
HEADS NEAR BORDER
OREGON WILL ASSURE SCOTT
AND FUNSTON THAT CARRANZA
MEN CAN COPE WITH BANDITS
SKIRMISH WITH BANDITS
General DoGds Cavalry In Surprise
Attack Battle With Villa Bandits,
Killed Six, Woundlng Nineteen.
Two Americans Killed.
Latest News Of Mexican Situation.

General Aware ODregOn, minister o
war of the de facto government, will
submit his assurance to Major Gen
erals Scott and Funston at their con
ference In Juarez or Ell Paso that the
Carran2a forces are now fully able t
cope with the Villista bandits that are
operating In Southern chihuahua. The
minister of war said he hoped to ar
range for an early retirement of the
American troops from Mexican soil.
General instructions for the assist
Rnce Of Major General Hugh L. Scott
at his conference this week with Car
ranza's war minister, General Obre-
gon, were drafted by Secretary Baker
Wednesday after brief conferences
with President Wilson and Secretary
Lansing Of the state department
The only official statement as to
the nature Of the instructions was the
following, issued by Secretary Baker;
"The instructions ere to discuss a
basis for the most cordial and COM
plete cooperation between the Ameri.
can and Mexican forces in the attain.
ment of their common object"
While the immediate object OF the
conference is, as stated, a question of
military dispositions to end bandit
operations along the border, there is
90 doubt that its result will have a
strong influence upon the diplomatic
negotiations between the two govern.
ments II is considered certain that
General Obregon will carry back to
the City Of Mexico on his return def
nIte impression that the American
troops will remain in the positions to
which General Funston Is now shifting
them as q buffer between the disturb
ed area Of Northern Mexico and the
border until the success OF the Car.
rama forces in pursuing the bandits
removes the danger of further raids on
American towns. 1t also Is virtually
certain that the intention of the Amer.
lean forces to police thoroughly all
the territory in the immediate vicinity
OF the advanced bases will DO made
clear,
With about $4,000 Mexican troops
hack Of Alvaro Obregon end some 3d.
900 American troops concentrated In
Mexico and along the border, signifi.
canoe is attached to the order from
the war department this week direct
Ing Major General Frederick Funston,
commander Of the Southern depart
ment, to accompany Major General
Hugh L. Scott, chief Of the general
staff, on his trip to the border to con.
Ter with Carranzas war minister re-
garding the future of the American ex.
petition in the southern republic.
In view Of the war departments de.
cision, based upon recommendations |
from Generals Scott and Funston, that |
the expeditionary force be not with
drawn from Mexico, it was pointed out |
that the conference Is likely to result !
either in better understanding be. |
tween the United States government |
and the Carranza government or an
outright break in the friendly rela.
tons between the two countries.
81 sec TO chance for withdrawal of
the American expeditionary force"
In the foregoing words Major Gen.
eral Hugh L. Scott, chief of staff of
The United States army, in an inter.
view Sunday, gave the first official
Information Of the probable outcome
Of his conference with Major General
Frederick Funston, commander of the
southern department.
The new military plan leaves the
pursuit OF Villa at a standstill. but
Trees General Funston's hands to make
The position of the forces in Mexico
Lecture by grouping them in posts of
such strength as to protect them from
attack by irresponsible elements of
The de faCto governments forces
Two Americans were killed and
'hree wounded in an engagement he.
ween cayalrymen under Colonel Geo
Dodd and $50 Villa bandits at To.
naschiC, in the center Of the Sierra
dadres, western Chihuahua, on April ,
z, according to an official report re.
eNed this week. The Villa command
nder four chiefs, Baca, Cervantes. ,
)ominguez and Rois, was surprised In
he late afternoon and routed. After ,
he battle the Americans found six
cad Mexicans and nineteen wounded
lille a number Of horses and a uuan.
ty Of arms and equipment was cap.
ired.
Reports received made no mention +
Villa himself being with the band. 9
Though 1t had been reported pre-.
ously that he was in hiding in the
ountains in that vicinity. :
Movements Of Carranza troops near '
g border have been closely followed
General Funston and reported to
'esident Wilson b. Secretary Baker
neral Funston is said to have dem. "