Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-06-21
ISSUE Of WAR
IS IN BALANCE;
NOTE DISPATCHED.
Absolute Refusal to Withdraw
Troops from Mexico Re-
ply to Demand
-- ~.
PROTECTION OF BORDER
Is ONLY OBJECT
Believed Next Forty.eight Hours
=
Will Clear Up Entire
Situation

Washington, June 20.-The issue Of
war or peace with Mexico hung In
the balance tonight, awaiting General
Carranzas decision as to the course
he will pursue. Officials here believe
that 4S hours might bring clear un-
derstanding Of what the immediate
future has in store. A note signed
lby Secretary Lansing, conveying Pres.
ident Wilson'S rejection of the de.
mands for withdrawal of American
soldiers from Mexico, accotnpaaisd ~
ta~Specific' warning that an attack on
the troops will lead to the gravest
consequences" was telegraphed to
Mexico City today by Elisio Arredon-
do, Mexican ambassadOr-resignate. In
plain terms, it accuses General Car.
rama of having brought matters to
the verge of war by open hostility to.
ward the United States, and failure
to safeguard even the lives of Ameri-
cans in Mexico or on the border from
the lawless element among his cOun-
trymen.
Resents lmputation.
In sternest terms, the note repudi-
ates and resents imputations Of bad
faith and ulterior motives brought
against the Washington government
in the Mexican communication to
which it is a reply. General Carran'
"a is informed in so many words that
protection of it's own borders Is the
only object sought by the United
States, and is told that that object
will be pursued, whatever the conse.
quences may be.
When the note had been handed to
Mr. Arredondo for delivery to his
chief, copies were sent to all embas-
sizes and legations for their inf0rma-
ton. A summary was telegraphed to
Special Agent Rogers in Mexico City.
that he might wisely counsel Ameri-
can residents there. He will not COM
municate it to Carranza ofacials.
Mr.. Rogers reported during the day
that he had arranged for q refugees
train to carry Americans and other
foreigners from Mexico City to Vera
Cruz. He expects to see it OF TO-
morrow, but will remain at his post
himself unless declaration OF war or
a deliberate act of war by the do
facto government should make it ne
cessary for him to leave.
Mobilization Proceeds.
Mobilization of the National Guards
men is proceeding expeditiously in all
states and plans for sending some Of
them southwark in response to re.
quest from General Funston are un.
der way. Secretary Lansing today de-
scribed the policy of the government
as being founded only on . resolve to
protect the border. That policy has
not been changed, he said, and NO
step that has been taken has
any other object General CarranIa
was officially informed Of this in the
note which went forward today.
General Funston sent long code
to Secretary Baker today, in
what portion Of the 100000
guardsmen ordered under arms he
needed Immediately to sti6en hiS Dor.
der guard. The points, at which 10
wishes the men modified and the
of infantry, cavalry and
artillery, he desires to have at each
place were included.
Assignments from First Unit.
Assignment will be made from the
first state unit to be mustered into
the service.
None of the guardsmen summoned
under President Wilson's call were
ready tonight for marching orders.
The entire guard Of the District oe
Columbia will be under canvas to0or.
row at Fort Myer, Va, eeaAy Tor
muster. Several states alDo aro ex.
pected to complete their 0o1lll1at3ga
by tomorrow night ana . deciGioo
CONTINUED froa Fag0 TWo.l