Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-30
CONSENTS TOUSE
OF RAILROAD FOR
BEARING FREIGHT
Must Go to Concerns in Mex
leo With Which Army
Has Contracts.
WILL ENABLE PERSHING
TO GET NEEDED RELIEF
Action Does Not Cover Move
ment of Troops. for Which No
Request Has Been Made.
SHIPMENTS READY TO MOVE
Lack OF Army Supervision, Officials
OH Border Think. May Render
Service Inadequate.
WILL ENABLE PERSHlNG
TO GET NEEDED RELIEF
SHIPMENTS READY TO MOVE
Lack OF Army Supervision, Officials
OH Border Think, May Render
Service Inadequate.

WASHINGTON March @y.--Gercral
Carranza has agreed to permit the
movement of supplies to the punitive
expedition in Mexico over the Mexican
Northwestern Railroad. The supplies
will go commercial freight to con-
Germs in Mexico with which the army
has contracts.
The permission for use of the rail-
road is not granted in military sense,
and does not cover the movement OF
oops, for which the American army
has not asked. II, however. will enable
General Fershng's force TO get sup
plies in abundance in a country where
motor-truck trains cannot carry them.
and thus will aid immeasurably in tho
pursuit of the Villa bandits
Advices to this effect were received
late to-day by the State Department.
from Special Agent James l.. Rodgers.
who is with Carranza at Queretaro.
Secretary Lansing declined to give
any details, aside from the fact that
only use of the Mexican northwestern
was granted. 1t is understood. how
ever. that Carranza stipulated that the
! use of the railway would be OH com
| mcrcial basis" as suggested by. the ,
L
! Mr.. Rodgers
PLAN To MAKE MADEIRA
PRINCIPAL BASE IN MEXICo
Now that permission has been given
by Carranza to use the railways il is
the plan of the military authorities
to make MADEIRA the principal base in
Mexico. The large mills Of the FL
raso Milling Company. "A Pearson syn
dicate. which controls the Mexican
Northwestern, are locate, at MADEIRA
In anticipation of utilizing the rail-
7 way, the quartermaster's department.
has massed an enormous stock Of sup
plies at I;l Paso. Orders for the shin
ment OF the supplies to the interior
Will be given soon AS the transporta-
tion facilities are ready.
Carranza's yielding to the rcpresen-
| tations OF the State Department great
ly relieved the tension in official
circles.
instructions sent to Special Agent
Rodgers last night were to- point out
TO Carranza the urgent necessity of
granting the use Of the railway to ship
supplies to American troops II was
reported to-day that there was Il broad
hint In the instructions to inform Car
ranza OF the possibility of summary
seizure of the railway. rather than
have the pursuit OF Villa necdlessly
frustrated. Rodgers was told to point
out also that Carranza's forces were
given permission to cross American ter.
ritory in an emergency when Villas
forces threatened a Carranza army in
Northern Mexico
ORDERS GO FORWARD
TO SECRETARY BAKER
Secretary Baker issued this state
ment at the War Department Tonight.
I'VE have directed General Funston
to tender for railroad shipment car
goes of supplies. either directly to our
military men or to civilians i'm Mexico.
This does not involve any tender Of
munitions for such railroad transpor-
tation. nor does it involve the use os
American military guards on any
Mexican trains"
The order I" General Funston was
dispatched late to-day. Under il nd
VIII make such use OF the railroads
as the Mexican authorities permit
pending the further negotiations with
Carranza being conducted by the S::,.e
Department..
ONE OF ARMY's MOST
SERIOUS PROBLEMS SOLVED
One OF the army's most serious prob
lens in hunting villa was solved when
CarranZa promptly granted the re-
newed request for permission to use
the Mexican northwestern Railroad in
carrying out the pursuit.
General Carranza received the new
request this morning; his answer was
in Washington before dark It was
contained in brief message from j.
Rodgers. saying the head OF the de-
iacto government agreed to the COM
mercial use OF the line. Officials here
assumed he would be equally prompt
In notifying his officers on the border.
and that General Funston might begin,
shipment tomorrow.
Although the army Will proceed 70
use the railroad on IL commercial basis,
which Is construed here as meaning
that all service shall be paid for at
regular rates. the state Departing
VIII negotiate further with Carranza
to bring about a more definite under
standing. To-day's response is re-
garded as being satisfactory in a
measure, but In order TO assure the de-
livery OF supplies along the line. Gem
crai Funston viii desire to place
guards on the trains.
War Department officials were great
ly relieved by the removal OF the ne =
cessity for maintaining u motor truck
supply train over desert roads for ..