The Little River news., 1916-06-28
WAR CLOUD
 GROWS DARK
CarranZa Must Also Give Clear State ment of His Intentions; Situa.
 tiOn is Acute.

Washington, June 25.-A demand for the immediate release of the American troopers taken prisoner at Carrizal coupled with notification that the United States expects an early state- ment of the purposes of the Carranza government was telegraphed to Mexi- co City today by Secretary Lansing. | The state department received yes terday communication from the Car ranza government stating that the l Carrizal fight was the direct result oi orders to attack American soldiers moving otherwise than towarl the bor- der, personally issued by General Car ranZa to General Trevino and by the | latter communicated to General Per shing.
 Requires Definite Statement.
 In reply Seer sNary Lansing requires | that the Carranza government trans init definite statement "as to the course of action it has determined up- l on" through the usual diplomatic channels land not through subordi- nate military officers"
 The Mexican communication is con- ;,trued as a formal avowal of deliber- ately hostile action against the forces O: the United States now in Mexico and of the purpose to attack without rrovocation whenever they move from ;heir present position, despite the friendly mission on which they are en- gagged and which is re-affirmed in the Americacn rejoinder.
 Force Will Meet Force.
 The intimation lies behind the re- strainel language of Mir. Lansing's communication that force will be met with force. Apparently, however. tn 2 Washington government is term ned the Carranza government shall not evade responsibility before the world if war is forced upon the United Stat es.
 The note and the military situation of the United States were talked over at the White House tonight by the president with chairman Stone of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Lodge, ranking Republican members and Chairman Flood of the house Committee on Foreign Affairs.
 Situation Very Acute.
 President Wilson had felt it necess- ary to acquaint Congress with the state of affairs and the action taken, through the Foreign Affairs Commit tees. He may address joint session of Ike house and Sa,nate in a day or two but will not take this final step until the Mexican government had been given an opportunity to reply.
 The president told these at the con- ferenc1 tonight of the note from Gen eral Carranza avowing the attack on American troops at Carrizal and of the reply that he had directed to be sent. Senator Stone was very emphatic after ward in regard to the demand for ,,- lease of the prisoners.
 War Virtually Here.
 We must have those men," he said. The senator believes that war virtual ly is here.
 "If they are going to attack our men without cause" he said there is only one thing to do. We will never have peace down there until we use force enough to compel it.
 The military situation may be influ- encing the administration diplomatic course. as well as the desire to make t clear that tl.e United States is be- ing forced into warlike measures by t;.e hostility of General Carranza
 Speeding Mobilization.
 He War Department is making evcry effort to speed up mobilization of the National Guard. A few com panies have been mustered in. Others will take the oath tomorrow. In AS hours probably, substantial force will be enroute to the border to back up Ges cral Funston's line. It may be four or five lays before War Depart ment officials will feel safe in with drawing regulars from the border pa trol to form the cutting edge of what ever force they may hurl to the sup port of General Pershing's column should aggressive action be ordered. It seems doubtful that formal dip lomatic rupture will be forced before adequate military precausions are pos sible, particularly as it has been indi- cated that quick drastic action Is Pres ident Wilson's desire should General Carranza force the use of the army against him. A..