Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-05-16
SAYS OBREGON AGREED
TO POLICE MOUNTAINS
Also Promised to Occupy Parral Dis
trict, Patrol Border and Catch
Glenn Springs Raiders.
TO STOP FURTHER 1NCURsIoNs
War Minister Further Contracted
Not to Send Large Force Into
Sonora by Pulpit Pass in
Pershing's Rear.

The net result o. the military
conferences at Ell Paso, as re-
ported today by Maj. Ger. Scott
to Secretary Baker, has been to
convince the Carranza govern
ment that the United States has
no other purpose in its operations
in northern Mexico than to stamp .
out brigandage, and, as a conse-
quence, there exists substantially
an unwritten understanding the
| Carranza forces shall endeavor 70
demonstrate their ability to
handle the situation as the neces-
sary first step toward withdrawal
of the American punitive expedi-
ton.
Cen Scott believes Gen. Obregon is
acting in good faith and that the bor-
| der situation is less critical today so
! far as the American government is
| concerned.
Secretary Baker laid before President
| Wilson and the cabinet the information
\ brought by Maj. Gen. Scott. After the
ca binet meeting ii was reiterated that no
armed intervention was in prospect and
that the situation apparently was i'm
proving.
What Gen. Obregon Promised.
To carry out his share of the plans
| Gen. Obregon has agreed to occupy
and police the Parral district. scour-
| ing the mountainous region to the west
of that town in search of the remnants
| of Villas followers. He also agreed
to establish a strong patrol line along
the Mexican side of the Big Bend coun-
| try to prevent incursions such as that
at Glenn Springs and Boquillas.
| For that purpose Gen. Obregon has
| ordered into those regions 10000 troops
under Gems Trevino said to be the most
efficient field commander in the Car
! rama army. Advices to the War and
State departments indicate that the
| movements are being csfried out
| promptly. ,------~-----------------... -
Another important element. and one
which American army officers regarded
as most vital to Gen. Pershing's line of
communications. was cleared up by
Gen. Obregons s agreement not to bring
the large force of CarranZa's troops in
Sonora through Pulpit pass into Gen.
PershingS rear. While the War De-
partment is perfectly satisfied of Gen.
Pershings equipment to care for his
force in any circumstances. the possi-
| bility of a large Carranza force being
moved to- his rear was regarded with
some concern.
On their side Gen. Scott and Gen.
!
precaution would be taken by Ameri-
can commanders not to dispose their
forces so as to embarrass the operation
of the Mexican troops. and also that
the border patrol on the American side
would be strengthened.
AS to Villa himself, neither Ameri-
can or Mexican officials seem to have
any knowledge of his present where
abouts or anything positive to show
that he is still alive. Gen. Obregon
believes him dead Gen. Scott report
ed that the statement of the Mexican
war minister in that connection was
not made with the idea of impressing
the American officers with argu-
ment in favor of withdrawal. but mere-
ly as an expression of an opinion.
The first obstacle encountered by the
American conferees at Ell Paso was
the necessity of convincing Gen. Obre-
gon that the expedition after Villa was
not an Intervention step. The size and
composition of the force aroused alarm
among Mexican officials. and it was
d
not customary for posses in pursuit
of one man to go with field guns and
mountain artillery. The American Of
ficers finally succeeded in perSuading
the war minister. however. that tho
United States government had no in
tention other than it's announced pur-
pose to disperse or capture the bandit
and end the disturbed conditions along
the border The understanding as to
what steps would be taken by both
military commanders followed.
Plan for Patroling Border.
A new plan for patroling the border
has been recommended by Gen. Fun
ston. He proposed a corps of forty
eight motor cycles, thirty tandem and
eighteen single machines. Secretary
Baker sid today he would probably
approve the plan. Gen. Funston will
make Ell Paso the base of operations
for the motor cycle scouts. Use of mo-
cover much more quickly and more
often longer section of boundary
particularly in isolated districts and
also enable officers to receive reports
more expeditiously from small outposts
distant from headquarters.
Gen Pershing reported that Julio
Acosta, one of Villas aids, was killed
during the engagement at Ojo Azules
May 5.
terday to Tampico from TuXpan. where
of reported anti-American sentiment
He advised the Navy Department con-
ditions there were quiet.