The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-03-13

continues to keep down the veil OF Sc
crecy over Funston's movements. Secre-
tary Baker declared last night that he
would make public the news of the cross
ing into Mexico as soon as he receives It.
He at first refused to say whether any
orders had gone to Funston to postpone
the starting of the expedition. but later
declared that his previous statement that
Funston was free to move, whenever he
saw fit still stands.
One significant item OF information was
given out The Secretary announced that
the Twenty-third Infantry had been d.
rected to proceed at once from Calves
ton, where 1t is now encamped, to FL
Paso. This action, it was stated, result
ed from "apprehensions'' reported to the
War Department from several places
along the border on the part of residents
Of unprotected places that Villa might
repeat his forays across the border.
1t is plainly evident that the Depart
ment is making its dispositions Of troops
with bigger possibilities in view than a
mere brush with Villas bandits. AL
ready the orders sent out have increased
the border forces from 1900 to 5000.
Further movements to the border are
looked for. While no requests have been
sent as yet to militia organizations to
take the place OF troops going into
Mexico, the Department is expected to
take such action the moment 1t appears
advisable.
Arms Shipments Barred.
AS further indication Of the apprehen-
sions here, 1t was learned tonight au-
thoritatively that within the past TWEEN
ty-four hours orders have gone forth
from the Treasury Department to Gus
toms officials along the border to make
the embargo against the shipment OF
arms, ammunition and other explosives
TO Villista forces apply to all consign-
ees across the border. Heretofore the
customs officers have been permitted to
make exceptions, with the approval of
the Treasury Department, OF shipments
of arms and ammunition to CaTanza
forces and of dynamite to mining COM
panies. For the next two or three days
at least no exceptions at all will be per-
mitted
The explanation is that the American
Government does not wish any dynamite
to get into possession of Villa for use
in blowing up bridges in seeking to elude
pursuit. Carranza, it is declared, has
been getting heretofore practically no
ammunition across the border, most of
II being shipped to him through Vera
Cruz and other seasports. It is re-
garded as possible that within the next
few days these shipments from Ameri-
can ports may be held up.
Difficulty of Transportation.
Although the War Department
claims to be without confirmation OF
this the report Is repeated in press
dispatches from several sections of the
country from which troops are being
moved to the border that trouble is
being experienced in getting railroad
accommodations. with the admins
tration still holding publicly to the
view that the expedition is nothing
more serious than a pursuit of an out
law, the War Department is COM
PEELED to rely on the courtesy of the
railroads for spare cars. no Interrupt
ton being made by the roads in regu-
lar passenger service. Should the gov
eminent accept the view that inter-
vention Is to be undertaken, Section
. of the Act of Congress approved
June %, 1905. could be invoked to meet
the situation. it being provided in this
law that lin the event of war or
threatened war" the army can force
the railroads to give the needed serv-
Ice irrespective of regular business.
The Twenty-third Infantry is ex-
peCted to reach FL Paso some time to-
morrow, and will be used, II is be-
lieved. to cover any advance through
JuareZ