Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
De Facto Chief Dispatches
Troops to Guard Unpro-
tected Territory.
TO DRIVE BANDITS OUT
Army Expected to Extermi.
nate Outlaws - Move
ments Under Way. =

Ell Paso. Texas, May 23-Com.
plant against TIE action Of Amer.
lean troops at Ascension In the
Casas Grandes district. was re.
ceived by General Gavira in
Juarez today in telegram from
the mayor of the town.
Washington. May 23-The Car
rama government has ordered 80.
900 troops into the region south Of
the border to exterminate bandits,
according to information received
today at the state department.
General Obreg0n's original orders
issued after his conference at Ell
PasO with Generals Scott and Fun.
stOn assigned 10000 men to Gen.
eral TrevinO to police the territory
south of the American expedition.
The new troop movements are
already in progress through Chi.
huahua, the departments adyices
state.
Further delay by General Carranza
in dispatching his new note regarding
the border situation is anticipated here.
The official announcement that Colonel
Sibley's expedition had returned across
the border was expected to lead to
some alterations in the Carranza COM
Prompt withdrawal of the second ex-
petition when it reached the end of
the trail probably will have a benei-
Cial effect on future negotiations with
the de facto government, officials be-
lieve.
General Scott assured General Obre-
gon that no troops would remain in
Mexico when danger of new raids had
passed and General Funston's handling
Of the Big Bend territory situation has
fully carried out statements made to
the Mexican war minister.
Guards Mustered In.
Official reports today said more than
5000 Texas national guardsmen have
been mustered into the federal service.
The total strength of the Texas forces
was 1913 officers and 2,644 enlisted men
when it was called out and additional
men have enlisted for the border pa
trolls.
Mastering of the Arizona and New
Mexican guardsmen is being delayed,
General Funston reported, until the
skeleton companies can be recruited to
the required standard.
Baker Is Undecided.
Secretary Baker has not decided
what action shall be taken regarding
the 116 Texas guardsmen who declined
to enroll in the federal service. Judge
Advocate General Crowder has submit
ted an opinion to General Scott, chief
of staff, outlining the war departments
authority to court martial the recalci-
trants. His only recommendation
however, was that if the court martial
was ordered a majority of the members
of each court be militia officers, not
regulars.
Final figures on the number of
Texas guardsmen actually mustered
into the federal service we're 1854.
Facts in Situation.
Outstanding facts in the Mexican Sit
uation today were these:
Colonel Sibley's four cavalry troops
which entered Mexico nearly two weeks
ago in search of the Glenn Springs
and Boquillas bandit raiders, were back
at the border without casualties, hav-
ing penetrated 1S6 miles into unknown
torrid country over bad, dusty roads
They rescued two Americans held By
the bandits and brought back FIVE Mex.
lean prisoners.
Marion Letcher, American consul al
Chihuahua City, was due to arrive il
Washington today with a full report
on economic conditions in northern
Mexico, to be made to the state depart
ment. Officials understand these con
ditions are bad.
At Mexico City the Carranza govern
ment was preparing another note to b,
dispatched to the United States within
few days. Officials here suggested i
might contain renewal of the deman,
for withdrawal of American troops ant
deal with the raiding OF the Big Benz
district
Officers Of the judge advocate gen
erals Office were TO determine whether
116 members OF the Texas nationa
guard are subject to court martial fol
refusing to enter federal service. Sec
rotary Baker was to be advised con
corning his possible action to the case