The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-03-25
eElEllt BEstlIls.
ALIGNMENT OF HERRERA WITH
4 VILLA ADDS TO COMPLExITY !,
OF MEXICAN STU.
,Att ALTON,

u. Il "a
'~ t''~
FGnston and staG Profess Besief ,rhat
All Is Wen, hut News of Revolt
Brinss Grave Concern-May Fore.
shadow Extensive Troubles.
san Antonio, Texas. March ga
Reports that Gen. Luis Herrera, com.
manding 1000 men at chihuahua, had
alisned himself with Francisco villa
against the United States were re-
ceivsd tonight with grave concern by
Gen. Funston ana his staff. Ohicially
and unoiIioiatly the opinion here was
that with HerFeFa Joining forces with
Villa the international situation might
easily be made 10 complex that by
comparison the pursuit. of Villa would
be regarded al incidentaL
The long intervals between reports
from the field commander Of the
American sxpsdition already had
keyed the tension bit. although Cen.
Funston and his chief OF staff con.
tinued to profess the belief that all
was well WITH. the troops below Casas
0tandei BUT tho report from chihua-
lhae ms'de Insignificant any anxiety
thyy misht have felt ooncsrn,,g Gen.
'rsfshins's opsrations. F. ~
If r. Beltran, Mexican conaai here.
sAte6 early tonasht that he had not
rscsiYed connfnstioA Of the report
ma Ne was Inclined to laugh. ,lt It a.s
a'HSsdsr rumor." q d; ..sr. a
AceSfdihk 10 the version r,achinrI
here HefrSfa was removed 1fondny
frcas eoAnand ana inAssediateiy TOOK
steps to 'afienate HIS sarsison. THAT
CarranxA Has enough Ioyal troops in
hofthsrn Mexico 10 drive hin, frora
the 6tt$ o. SChihuahua Il hss asttempts
TO hold the place was Believed by
military Mon here but IL was not
thotuft that the holding ee ths city
'wsS his plan. 'Ni
1lls1tary observers here ses ! DOS.
Si61S ponn1ctioii with Herrsr;i'S re.
pottsd aeti0n ia the interruption q,
s~irs service bStween casas opande,1
ana. 5uafeS yesterday and the wire
cuttins rtoday between rorreon ana
cJiha opposite Presidio, Texas. It.
vs. xusgeAted that those who cut tho
wissss bstween 'casas Grandsa ana
'JoAtes might have thought they. were
bstpS NED BY Gen. rershins. for oom-
mSnication with Cen. Funston
IN HsrreraF desires, It vtas pointad
cut, no eould Greatly snsSarrass the
united states in It's efforts TO run
down villa and his followers. CUT
ting of the Northwestern railway att
certain points wonid make Il impos-
sibIe Tor txs Americans to use ii for
tctwardins supplies foF many days,
xy4n II tho = Carrransa government
gtanted permission. Another move
that It was feared Herrera might make
49, to 80 north and east along the
traii to ojinaga and emulate villa by
attacking Presidlo. A small Ameri-
can force u there now and this prob-
ably viii Be strengthened. Hesrresa,sl
reported detection caused surprise to
those Who know his former intimate
relations with Carranza.
NO Information has been made pub
lie concerning tire movement Sf NE
expedition In Mexicc. II was said
that several dispatches had Seen ne. re.
ceived by Gen. Pershing. tn command
OF the american troops; bat that they
all we're 81 a routine nature. :
Late tonight Gen. funston reported
to the war department. that an inves-
tfsatfon proved there was no. truth in
4 report that a7r army motor lerries-
had been found so miles Oh the lines
or naIcft In northern Mexico with
their drivers missing. t.'s''3.'s
J. In congress during the day senator
sherman 'of Illinois (RepublicanJ In In.
trSdGeSd q resolution to authoriae the
pEssidsnt To Issue a call for so, 900
volunteers to be used in the service In
Mexico. The resolution was placed
on the tabls to Be called later.
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