New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-11

ton be published the General stan
maintained strict secrecy concerning
disposition OF forces.
Former Secretary OF War Garrison
arrived az the War Department this
afternoon and stood at the elbow OF
Secretary Baker prompting his move
ments. Mr.. Garrison's return was IN
accordance with an offer made when he
resigned 70 assist his successor in &C
ousinting himself with the duties OF
the Office.
CarranHa's Opposition Feared.
While the State Department and the
White House insist that there IS no
reason 10 expect hostility from Car
rama, officials in touch with the situa-
ton say il is inevitable that Carranza
will resist intervention. Elseo, Are
dondo, Ambassador Designate OF Mex
;co. conferred with Secretary Lansing
to-day, but was unable 20 advise him
oefnitelv as 10 the attitude his chief
would adopt.
The Administration Is not asking or
expecting cooperation from the car
rama military forces. The expeditlon
will be undertaken with or without the
consent of Carranza. and movements
of American troops will be made with
out reference 20 Carranzas army, eX-
cept that the latter will be looked upon
as a probable source Of danger.
Army officers familiar with condi-
ticns in Mexico say Carranza would be
powerless 10 drive his armies against
Villa at a time like this. Every MeXi-
can, they say. will proclaim Villa
nero and will Join with him in war on
the "Gringoes" Should a Carranza
army engage the Nillistas, IT IS re-
garded as certain they would desert 70
Villa.
In Carranza circles here Villas at
tack on the American camp at Colum,,
bus is regarded as shrewd politicaI
move. Villa has been plotting Tor
months TO force Intervention. believing
IL would mean the end Of Carrahza'
Think Carranza Regime Doomed.
Whatever course Carranza chooses, It
is believed certain his government IS
doomed. To acquicsce in the INVASION
bv American troops, 1t IA declared,
would turn the Mexican populace
against him. His army would desert
aud leave him powerloss. On the other
hand. war with the United States would
mean defeat and final overthrow. Car
rama Is without munitions sutncient 20
carry on war with an organized army
for more than a few weeks. and his
government practically is bankrupt.
War Department officials are asking
how II happened that Colonel SlOcum's
garrison at Columbus was surprised by
n force of / 900 Villa troops, who actu-
ally attacked before their presence was
known TO the Americans. Columbus is
three miles from the border. villa 8
troops were known TO be in the neigh
horhoOd. and ordinary caution would
have provided not only 81 sufficient
ricket line. but border patrol ready
% engage the invaders the moment
hey crossed the boundary.
zen VINO have served on the border
saw IL has been the practice when at
.acks seemed imminent. as has been the
.ase on the New Mexican border for a
week, to keep the cavalry in the saddle
Law and night. paralleling the move
ncnts Of Mexican forces with equal
'orces Of American troops. Many ON
GERS condemn Colonel Slocum for ms
apparent carelessuess. though praislng
,im for disregarding orders and invad-
ing Mexico in pursuit Of the Nillistas'
Funston Urges Drastic Action.
Villa is believed TO have about 5000
men. according TO a dispatch from Gen
.ral Funston to-day. General Funston S
Ispatch was sent before the President
lad ordered an invasion of Mexico and
g largely concerned with arguments IN
favor of Intervening. lie throws inter
sting sidelights, however, on the &C
.ivities Of the Carranza authorities
The dispatch follows:
1T is the opinion of Colonies Dodd
and Slocum. in which I concur. that
snless Villa is relentlessly pursued ard
ais forces scattered he Will continue
caids. As the troops Of the MEXICAN
government arc accomplishing nothing
and as he can consequently make ms
preparations and concentrations with
out being disturbed, he can strike at
INV poinf on the border, We being un-
able TO obtain advance information as
10 his whereabouts.
"If We fritter away the whole COM
nnand guarding towns, ranches and rail-
roads. IL will accomplish nothing II ne
ian find safe refuge across the line al
ser every raid. Although probably not
more than 900 took part in the Co
,umbus raid. he Is believed to nave
about 3 900. Even If he could not con
inue raids, he has entered on policy
Of merciless killing of Americans In
Mexico.
"To show the apathy and gross in
efficiency Of the Mexican government
troops, an American woman, held prs
oner by Villa for nine days, VINO es-
caned in the Columbus fight. states
that during all that time he was uh-
disturbed. at 10 great distance rom
Tho border. collecting force OF about
5000. The few Csrranzs troops IN the
region fed, losing all contact with MN
and not even informing US rs 20 ms
whereabouts.
III desired, ] shall personally com
mand. II would be desirable 10 re-
place as soon as possible from avail
able cavalry In the United States the
cavalry taken from the border
Baker Issues Statement.
Tn. Secretary Of War tonight is-
su,d the following statement:
"There Is no intention of entering
MEXICO in force. A sufficient body OF
mobile troops will be sent in TO locate
and dispense or capture the band OF
bands that attacked Columbus. sc
soon al the forces Of the de facto gov
eminent can take control OF the situa
ton. any forces of the United States
then remaining in Mexico will OF course
be withdrawn. The forces Cf the Unitec
states now on the border will be I'M
mediatcly recruited, but only Tor the
purpose Of safeguarding the TERRITORY
OF the United States from furthei
raids"
sloeum Reports on Pursuit.
A detailed report OF the Columbus
raid received to-day from Colone
Slocum followsi
aWhen Villa troops fell back Jus
before daylight. we followed them VIII
a dismounted line. At the same the
I sent Major Tompins with three