Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1916-06-30
Release Of Ameri-
cans Demanded.
LANSING SENDS NOTE
Intentions Of Carranza Govern
ment Also Desired.

| Washington, June ga demand for
the immediate release of the American
troopers taken prisoner at Carrfzal.
coupled with a stern notification that
the United States expects an early
statement of the purposes Of the Car
rama government. was telegraphed to
Mexico City by Secretary Lansing.
The note discloses that the state de-
partment received communication
from the de facto government stating
that the Carrizal fight was the direct
result of orders to attack American
soldiers moving otherwise than to-
ward the border, personally issued by
General Carranza to General Trevino
and by the latter communicated to
General Pershing.
In reply Secretary Lansing requires
that the de facto government trans
NIT definite statement "as to the
course of action is has determined
upon" through the usual diplomatic
channel. "and not through subordinate
| military officers"
Contains Pointed Rebuke.
The Mexican communication is con-
strued, Secretary Lansing states, "as
formal avowal Of deliberately hostile
action against the forces of the Unit
ed States now in Mexico, and Of the
purpose to attack without provocation
whenever they move from their pres
ent position" despite the friendly mis-
sion on which they are engaged, and
which is reaffirmed in the American
rejoinder.
General Carranza is requested to
place himself on record, formally, and
the plain intimation lies behind the
restrained language of Mr.. Lansing's
communication that force will be met
with force.
Apparently, however, the Washing.
ton government is determined that
the de facto government shall not
evade responsibility before the world
If war is forced upon the United
States.
Conference at White House.
The note and the military situation
of the United States were talked over
at the White House by the president,
with Chairman Stone of the foreign
relations committee, Senator Lodge,
ranking Republican member, and
Chairman Flood Of the house commit
tee on foreign affairs. Representa-
tive Cooper, ranking minority member
of the house committee, was out Of
the city.
After the conference, which lasted
more than an hour, Senator Stone said
the situation was Exceedingly acute"
President Wilson had felt it neses-
sary to acquaint congress with the
state Of affairs and the action taken.
through the foreign affairs commit
tees. 1t was indicated that he might
desire to address joint session of
the house and senate in day or two.
but would not take this final step I'M
til the Mexican government had been
given an opportunity to reply.
Speeding Up Mobilization.
The war department is making
every effort to speed up mobilization
of the national guard. A few compa-
MES have been mustered in. In TWEEN
ty hours, probably, substantial force
will be en- route to the border to back
up General Punston's line.
It may be four or five days, how
ever, before war department officials
would feel safe in withdrawing regu-
lars from the border patrol to form
the cutting edge Of whatever force
they may hurl to the support of Gen.
eral Pershing's column, should aggres-
sive action be ordered.
1t seems doubtful that a formal dip
lomatic rupture would be forced be-
fore adequate military precautions are
possible. particularly as it has been
indicated that quick, drastic action is
President Wilson's desire, should Gen.
eral Carranza force the use of the |
- l.