Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-04-24
AMERICAN TROOPS
TO POLICE AREA
SOUTH OF BORDER
Funston's Suggestions for
RedispOsition Of Forces
Are Approved.
MAINTAIN STATUS QUO
UNDER PRESENT ORDERS
Will Give De Facto Government
Chance to Demonstrate
It's Ability.
SCOTT COMPLETES MISSION
No Additional Troops Ordered to
Mexico and No Orders in
Contemplation.
MAINTAIN STATUS QUO
UNDER PRESENT ORDERS
SCOTT COMPLETES
MISSION
No Additional Troops Ordered to
Mexico and No Orders in
Contemplation.

WASHINGTON, April g3.--Bchlnd the
formal announcement to-day that
| President Wilson had approved plan
| for redisposition OF the American troops
in Mexico. there was plain intima-
, iion tonight that the Washington GOV
crnment had determined to maintain a
| military status quo beyond the border
until the Mexican de sacto govern
ment has demonstrated its ability to
J capture or crush Villa and his adner-
cnts and prevent rcpctitions OF tho To-
lumbus raid.
! In the interim it is understood the
American troops will be SO placed as to
| safeguard tho border towns by vir-
trally policing the area south or the
| line where General Carranza has been
! heretofore unable TO check bandit
operations.
| Secretary Baker announced his an
proval of the rcdisposition plan. after
, consulting with the President o-day
over Joint report submitted by Major
General Funston and Major General
scott. chief or stan. in conference on
the border. The plan was proposed by
| General Funston and concurrcd in by
General Scott. The secretary anuounc-
cd the administrators decision as
! follows:
! Genera, Funston has recommended
redisposition of the forces in Mexico
for the purpose OF recuperatinr and
pending opportunities for further CO.
operation with the forces of the ia
| facto government of Mexico. Tho
recommendation has been approved and
/ it's execution left to his discretion"
SUBJECT Or WITHDRAWAL
| IS UNDER NEGOTIATIONS
Later tho secretary dictated the fol-
lowing:
"rhe statement have made indi-
cases nothing whatever on the
question OF whether the American
| troops will be withdrawn from Mexico.
Tho whole subject OF withdrawal OF
the forces is under negotiations by tho
! State Department."
! Mr.. Baker declined TO say whether
t General Funston's report included his
previous suggestions that the border
base be shifted from Columbus, y. NJ.
: 10 Presidio, Texas. or some other point
to the east OF Columbus in order TO
shorten the line OF communication. He
Stateo positively. however, that no ad-
/ dltional regiments had been ordered to
I the border. and that no such order was
IN contemplation. The secretary mado
IL clear also that the question Of with
! drawal from Mexico was wholly in the
| hahds or the State Department.
! IL was announced Tonight that Cen
erai scout had completed his mission to
INC border. and he would return to
T., Washington in Il few days.
The new military plan leaves the pur-
sur OF villa at standstil, but frees
General FunStons hands to make the
position OF the forces in Mexico socnro
nH grouping the posts of such strength
as TO prevent attacks by Irresponsible
i"rces. IL Will also serve as a plain
! warming to General Carranza that be
must hcnd every effort towards gaining .
'ontroi or the territory in proximity
! 10 tue American border If he homes
; L" nave the troops recalled
Co-oPERATsON AS MEANS
Or EARLY wITHDRAWaI
! puring the interim. at least there
VIII he opportunity for the Statc Do
part'nent 10 uaking countcroropos,,a
/ 10 General Carrunza SUGGESTING co.
operation as means of carlv with
drawai The halt will give the me,
ana horses OF the American flvlne
( columns chance TOR IL much need.d
/ rest.
( WIN s"ch troops in n position whera
/ 'hey can control the entire territory
around them il need should arise II
! may ne to the advantage OF Carranza
'hat no drive the bandits from tho
south.
! l" prevent tho possibility OF clasbes
snch as ar Parral. the new American
bases Will be established somewhere
north OF the present advanced oosirinn
ihero Is little indication OF anti -Arneri.
can ieehng, IL has been reported. no,y
WITHIN the spread Of the American
lines, At the same time, General car
rahza by granting the additional 60. 4
, operation. which has been a,jyre.t.d
VIII facilitate the withdrawal.
/ u is known that the policy or ask. {
Ing Genernl obreson, carrauza's wai
I Minister. TO como to the border for !;
! conference has been sugges,ed here 4:
(. jealousy of Carranea oyer the poaitiou 81
the War Minister occupies Ia tho mind, IS
Of tho Mexican people. however, has