Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-10

WASHINGTON, May with 5000
additional troops under orders for the
Mexican border. including 1000 ma
tional guardsmen from Arizona, New
Mexico and Texas, administration Of
ficials felt tonight that necessary
steps had been taken to prevent further
raiding of American border towns by
bandits. Meanwhile. tho final outcome
Of tho conference at El Paso between
Major General Scott and General Obre-
gon, tho Carranza War Minister. was
awaited with considerable anxiety.
President Wilson and his Cabinet
discussed the Mexican situation to-day.
but the President had authorized the
new troops orders before his advisers
gathered. General Funston suggested
early in the day that the National
Guard from the three States named be
called out. in addition to the sending
OF all the remaining regular infantry
to Join his command. His suggestion
was promptly approved and orders dis
patched.
FAILURE TO RATIFY
AGREEMENT IS PUZXLING
Some members Of the Cabinet were
frankly pcssimistic after the meeting
over the delay of General Obregon in
ratifying the agreement he negotiated
with General Scott covering co-opera-
tive border operations. Reports from
Mexico City indicated that tho agree-
ment had been approved by General
Carranza. and officials here were at q
loss to understand Obregon's action.
The majority OF tho Presidents ado
visers believed tho agreement finally
would be ratified. and that tho border
situation would clear itself quickly
thereafter. 1t was clearly intimated in
all quarters. however. that there would
be no change. In the policy OF the
Washington government: that tho
troops would stay in Mexico until the
border was safe from incursions; that
raiders would be pursued across tho
limo every time they became active, and
that tho whole strength OF the National
Guard would be used. If necessary, to
protect the border.
aUARTERMASTERS STORES
HELD IN READINESS
Secretary Baker said the question OF
calling guardsmcn from other States
into the service was not under immcdi-
ate considera ton 1t was learned,
however that General Funston already
had been supplied with all papers,
forms and instructions necessary 10
muster into service the guardsmen OF
all states near the border, and that
ordnance and quartermaster stores to
outfit all such troops on a full war
basis are held at convenient points for
quick distribution.
Mr.. Baker refused TO discuss reports
that General Funston has asked that
he be given total Of 5000 to main
tain the border guard. It Is possible
that the border commander mentioned
that figure as the number of men no
thought necessary to insure protection
or the, border towns and ranches by
providing an adequate guard for each.
The secretary said General Pershins's
force in Mexico was able to take care
OF itself in any emergency.
CAN USE STATE TROOPS
FOR FOREIGN SERVICE
Including the troops ordered out 70.
day. there will be nearly $4,000 SOL
diers' perhaps 10000, along the border
or in Mexico The War Department has
declined to publish actual army figures
but, with the entire mobile army,
!, except i've troops OF cavalry undsr
General Funston'a command. in addi.
ton to the 1000 or more guardsmen
and the severa! thousn- recruits who
are being forwarded TO ths regular
regiments as fast as they arc mustered
In. the United States has q consldera.
bic army strung out along tho 1890
miles of the international lima
Calling out tho National Guard foe
tho first time under the present militia