Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-15

in breaking up some of the Villa
bands.
II Capture improbable
Some army officers share the view
that the capture Of Villa is most i'm
probable unless the expedition is in
creased in size and scope to a COM
piete military occupation Of all north
ern Mexico. Since the administration
mas no intention of taking such a step,
tney feel that the present mission of
the expeditionary forces Is merely an
offensive move in defense of the bor-
der. They do not believe raids on
American towns are likely as long as
the pursuit is kept up far south Of the
International line. II
Cabinet Meeting
Great interest. in the outcome Of the
CABINET meeting today was manifested
oy members Of Congress. Many Ing
Qulr1es as to the course to be pursued
were received at the White House and
ny members OF the Presidents official
family. 1t is understood that n was
n'aoe very clear in every instance that
domestic politics would not be allowed
TO have the slightest weight in dealing
with the problem.
Several days may elapse bafora
.eplS can De prepared to the Carranza
note and diplomatic machinery be set
IN motion for the negotiations sought
oy tnat document Secretary Lansing
mas many details to consider. There arc
questions Of fact that will have tn no
iuiiy cleared up before an agreement
Will De possible. The State department
saw no reason today to retire from, ,ts
posi'ion That formal agreement IN.
uer Wnich the crossing of the Mexican
Doroer IN pursuit Of Villa proceeded
had oeen reached with Gen. Carror,o
oeIore the order to move was e;ven =,
Us original reply to Gen. Carranza,s
oposi.lon Tor reciprocal agreement
tne department stated clearly the
.erns OF that agreement as It under
s'oou tnem and declared them to he
operatlVe. A week or so elapsed -
"ds pointed out. before anv ouest;o,,
vas idlseo. In the meantime. American
~oops already were on Mexican soil
Arredondo's Misunderstand;no
lansing said today he had M
OF having assured E1isao
euohno' Observation-Disclosures ~
a0.eh 20 That the troops would NOT On
.ner south than they then were m
~ 'ne diplomatic situation was clearaa
anu .hat ne must have been misunder'
Slooo oy Mr.. Arredondo. He added ~.
at the time he did not know how 60
the troops had gone.
Many of the points raised in +h. ~
rama note were viewed as ref.rr;,
the protocol negotiations which fo,1.
| ed and not to the original r.o;s',
agreement iprocai
1T will take time to gather and s+,s,.
all the facts. Part of the negot;s. ,aus
with Mr.. Arredondo were conductoa Us.
or FOLK In the absence Of the
soe'ary. Mr.. Polk is resting at Hot
SPRINGS va and will not return tn
washington until next Tuesday. secre-
vary Lansing showed no Discrimination
70 seek personal report from Mr.. Poll
until his return.
Basis Of Request
attention has been given to tho fac+
that tn, Carranza note rested fra "a
quest for negotiations in part unon ~.
statement that the American exnea;t,o,
was not fulfilling its object. the can-
eore OF villa and dispersal Of his bands
ana could not fulfill it. The state ana
war departments are not disposed to al
low TINS TO go unchallenged. Only brief
Geographic advices so far have been ra-
ceived thus far. Full statements and
expressions Of opinion will be obtained
IN ell probability from Gen. Funston AZ
San Antonio and from Gen. Pershtne
rar south Of the international line and
commanding the expedition.
Communication is slow at best and
when the fact that the officers at the
front are too busy to give time to pre-
pairing lengthy officials reports is CON
sidered an extended delay in securing
this material seems probable.
In any event apparently the POSSIBLE
ity OF withdrawing the troops is not
viewed as an immediate ono in official
circles