South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-04-14

department Thursday night. Later
he made this statement.
Il wired Gen Funston a summary
OF the statements given out at the
Mexican embassy. directed him
10 take all necessary steps 10 protect
out people. 10 prevent further trou-
bic. and 10 wire all details he can
get as fast as possible. Unfortu-
nately We lave no facts yet. / hope
the reports OF the incident are ex-
aggerated and that il is only q local
affair"
The secretary declined TO state
whether Gen. Pershing had orders
20 keep his troops out OF Mexican
towns in the future lie pointed out
that when the expedition reached
Casas Grandes. the question arose
with the de facto government Is 10
the occupation" OF any Mexican
towns by the American troops. and
orders were given not 10 occupy any
town Mr.. Baker indicated. how
ever. that these orders did not pre-
clude the American troops from
passing through such towns when
necessary and that ne did not con-
slider that the entry Of $50 soldiers
into Parral with its 1900 inhab i-
tants could be construed as an "oc-
cupation."
Gen. Funston made clear in bis
dispatches that Parral is so physi-
cally situated that IL is difficult 10
pass around il and almost neces-
sary 20 pass through it TO proceed
south. That probably was response
Die for the cavalrylncn entering the
town and officials noted that all the
Mexican reports agreed that they
retired al once when the local off,
Gals protested against their pres
ence The war department investi-
cation will clear up how they came
10 enter.
No Intention to Quit Mexico.
Thursday night there had been
no opportunity for a canvass in
congress but it was evident that
having unanimously approved by
resolution the sending ito troops in
70 Mexico for the capture Of the
Villa bandits. it would sharply op-
pose their withdrawal without the
accomplishment Of their object.
| There is now. however. no indica-
ton that the administration has any
such intention.
The president announced when
the troops were dispatched that they
were sent with the single object OF
capturing Villa and putting a stop
10 his forays
There was no indication Thursday
night that the president had changed
his mind.
The first impression Of Gen Car
ranza's demand in many quarters
was that il merely opened the way
TO a discussion of the advisability
of Withdrawing the troops basing
the suggestion on a statement of
facts as they appeared TO Carranza
officials 1t does not specifically
request, or demand, the withdrawal
of the forces. Some officials were
inclined TO believe Cen Carranza
had found ii necessary 10 take some
steps 10 assure his countrymen that
he was safeguarding the sovereignty
of his country in every possible way.
A prolonged diplomatic discussion
was looked for with no serious en-
barrassment of the pursuit of the
bandits.
The Parral ARRAY. however, in
PRODUCES more serious aspect. In
his messages transmitting the re-
ports, Gen. Carranza uses stronger
/ terms. although avoiding. as does
his note. language that can be CON
strued as more than an argument
supporting his urgent opinion that
the troops be recalled.
Whatever steps the war depart
ment took Thursday or had already
taken further than Sec'y Bakers
order to Gen. Funston with the pos
sibility in view Of an attempt to
eject the American forces from
Mexican soil, have not been dis
closed. 1t is known, however, that
military authorities have had that
possibility in mind constantly, re-
gardless OF the diplomatic status of
the expedition. 1t is understood that
very definite plans for the relief of
any heleaguered column have been
mapped out
The situation at Parral was un-
expected. If official reports from
Gen. Pershing bear out the Mexican
advices, it seems likely that the con
duct OF the officer I'm command Of
the troops will be subjected 10 close
scrutiny.
Sec'y Baker and Maj. Gen. Bliss
remained at the war department ur-
| til midnight waiting vainly for fur
Their information from Gen. Fun
ston. The department. telegraph
room was kept open, but only a few
messages OF routine character came
I in.
| EllNST0M SAYS EAII,c