The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-06-21

ternoon states that a great prepared
ness movement is under way in the
southern republic. Thousands Of vol
unteers are being drilled, it is stated
and the Mexican army Will be limit
ed only by the supply of arms and
ammunition.
No Second Request.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas, juno 81
General Funston today denied re-
port circulated that he had made a
second request for militia to be sent
to the border He said the only re-
quest he has made WAS the one made
public yesterday.
The war department has wired
Funston to recruit four regiments OF
infantry and two Of cavalry 1t once
for regular service. Detailed instruc-
tions have been mailed. Recruiting
win be started at once.
Reports have been received that
Mexicans are assuming threatening
attitude at Ojinaga. Funston says
they are running around IN circles,
Dragging about what they intend to
do"
Official announcement was made
that General Pershing has found no
Mexican attachments moving at any
point within touch Of his lines OF
communication Pershing still has
scouting parties out on both sides OF
the line.
General Parker, at Brownsville,
reports he has no confirmation OF the
rumored massacre of Americans at
the Cerrebaio mines, in interior
Mexico.
Several big searchlights have ar
rived at Fort Sam Houston. Funston
refused to say how many.
Use Only Smaller Boats.
WASHINGTON, June 31.-The
cruisers vicksburg and Colorado and
four destroyers will leave San Diego
today for the Mexican wet coast, Adj
miral Winslow wired the navy depart
ment today.
The tender Dixie will arrive at Vera
Cruz Sunday. The transport Hancock
sailed today from New Orleans with
about 600 marines for Mont C1tstt,
San Domingo, where they will disem-
bark. They win then depart for Mex-
can waters ON transports via Guata-
nano.
Whatever help the navy department
gives the land forces, should the Mev1-
can situation develop the "gravest con-
sequences" no capital ships will be
sent, the United Press learned today
Dreadnoughts, battleships and heavy
cruisers would not be needed in Mexi.
can waters, It was said, nor would it
|, be wise at this time to break up the
Atlantic feet"
Should a blockade be determined
on, the work win be done by light
cruisers, naval dispatch boats. trans
ports and gunboats. There being no
Mexican navy to speak Of, these ships
would be ample for any eventual1ty.
Such ships could also be overhauled
after a stay in southern waters,
which quickly befoul ship bottoms.
Movement Of the Fleet.
SAN DIEGO, Calf, June 21.-That
Uncle Sam means business was in
dicated today by the distribution OF
the Pacific reserve fleet UP and down
the Mexican coast, in such way
that an Immediate blockade may be
called on every Mexican port from
Guaymas to Salina Cruz. Not even
in the days following the landing of
American blue jackets at Vera Cruz
were there so many United States
ships on duty at the same time south
of San Diego as today.
At sunrise today the mosquito
fleet of torpedo boat destroyers. con-
sisttns of the destroyers Hull, Hop
kins and Truxton with Lieutenant
w w. Bradley In command, steamed
out of San Diego harbor for the
south.
They were preceded late yesterday
nv the armored cruiser Pittsburgh,
flagship of Rear Admiral Fullam, and
the armored cruiser Colorado. The
armored cruiser South Dakota is I'M
der orders to sail from Rremerton,
Washington. for the south tomorrow.