Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-13
Reply to Suggestion of Mex
ico's Executive to Be
Made Today.
PROPOSAL ACCEPTED
Indications Seem Favorable
to Plan of Reciprocal
Relations.

Washington. March 13.-The
United States this afternoon ac-
cepted General Carranza's pro-
posal for reciprocal arrangement
by which either his troops or
American troops may pursue ban
dts on either side of the border.
A note of acceptance was sent for
ward to General Carranza at
Queretar0.
The Mexican situation showed no
outward change today, with the
army steadily preparing to carry
out President Wilson's orders to
pursue the Villa bandits.
General CarranZa's proposal for a
reciprocal arrangement by which eth
er his forces or American troops may
pursue bandits on either side of the
line probably will be accepted by the
United States.
In practice it will have no effect be-
cause American troops will be kept in
sufficient numbers on the border to
make incursiOns of Mexican troops I'M
necessary, hut at the same time it will
avoid controversy with General Car.
rama at this stage and allay agitation
of an American invasion in Mexico.
The only congressional development
in the situation was a declaration in
. Nv 81
other legislation should be put aside
by congress and the national prepared
ness program taken up Immediately to
meet any contingency to which the
sending OF troops across the border
might lead.
The United States VIII reply to Gen
eral Carranza's request for recipro-
cal arrangement for crossing of troops
at the Mexican border late today after
Secretary Lansing has conferred with
President Wilson. 1t was indicated
today that CarranZa's proposal would
be accepted,
Hope to Clear Situation.
The acceptance probably will be
made on the ground that Carranza
troops may cross into American terri
tory in pursuit of bandits at any time
that American forces are not present
in sufficient numbers. 1t will be point
ed out that the inability of the Car
rama troops TO handle the situation
in northern Mexico is the sole ground
for entry of American soldiers. In
that way American officials expected
the situation will be relieved of its
chief menacing features. They ex-
pressed the view today that great
deal Of unnecessary pessimism exists
as to General Carranza's attitude. AS
TO the attitude of the Mexican people
themselves, however, there is some
concern but il is realized that only
the developments OF the next few days
can clear up that phase of the situa-
ton.
Baker to Give Out News.
Washington was in suspense early to-
day awaiting official announcement
that American troopers we're over the
Mexican border.
The war department was besieged
with inquiries. Newspaper men gath
cred about the door leading to Secre-
tary Bakers office. The secretary said
he believed that the public was en-
titled to know promptly what was be-
Ing done by the government TO avenge
the Columbus massacre and he au-
thorized the installation of special
equipment for the press in order that
the word might be flashed over the
country when 1t came.
While General Funston was assemb-
ing his expedition somewhere on the
border" three regiments of cavalry
and one Of infantry were moving to
his support today from widely scat
tered points in the United States. The
cavalry was ordered out at his request
Saturday night, some from the Pacific
coast, some from the middle west and
some from the south. The infantry
regiment, the 23rd, now at Galveston.
mas been under orders TO be in readi-
ness for several days. 1t will go to
II Paso and then be assigned by Gen.
eral Funston to border duty
Another Attack Feared.
Secretary Baker explained the move
ment Of the 23rd by saying that great
apprehension was felt in many border
towns that the Columbus raid might
be repeated.
While strictest secrecy was main-
tained by the war department, infor-