The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-13
Reach Reciprocal Agreement
to Cross Border.
President Sends De FactO Chief
Word This p. Nj.
REMOVES STUBBORN OBSTACLE
Mexico Considered 1t Z. $. Evil
dence of Good Faith.
Now Either Army Can Cross in
Chase of Villa.

Washington, March 13.-The
United States this afternoon ac-
.cepted General Carranza's pro-
posal for a reciprocal agreement
by which either his troops or
American troops may pursue
bandits on either side of the bor-
der A note of acceptance was
sent forward to General Car
rama at Queretaro.
No Hostile Intentions.
Army officials who studied the Car
rama manifesto were convinced that
it was not intended as a communica-
ton to the United States in hostile
sense. The head of the defacto gov
ernmeat, they pointed out. was in a
delicate political position, forced to
satisfy conflicting elements among his
own adherents in whatever course he
pursues 1t was admitted, however,
that if Carranza enforced the senti-
ments expressed in his manifesto the
pursuit. of Villa might be hampered
seriously.
Wilson's Message Waits.
One question confronting President
Wilson is that of reaching a decision
as to whether or not it would be wise
TO lay the Mexican situation before
congress at this time. The president
himself is understood to have been in
clined to do so Immediately after the
cabinet meeting last Friday, when it
cf Villa. Some of his advisers, how
ever, have felt that the action might
be misconstrued in Mexico and the
expedition TO pursue the bandits be
Jnagnified into the advance guard OF
a movement TO police all northern
Mexico. Great stress had been laid by
all administration officials on the
purely punitive character of the eXpe-
dition that is to be sent over the bor-
der
| General Funston was sembling his
forces somewhere on the border today
and three regiments of cavalry and
one of infantry were rushing to his
support from widely scattered points
in the United States. The cavalry was
ordered out at his request Saturday
night, some from the Pacific coast
some from the middle west and some
from the south. The infantry regi-
ment, the Twenty-third, now at Gal
weston, has been under orders to be in
readiness for several days It will go
to Ell Paso and then be assigned by
/ General Funston to border duty.
/ rear More fSaDCIU I(a10S.
Secretary Baker explained the
movement # the Twenty-third by
saying great apprehension was felt in
many border towns that the Colum bus
raid might be repeated. 1t is proposed
/ to give General Funston ample force,
both for expedition and to protect the
| border residents. While StricteSt
secrecy was maintained by the war de-
partment as to the force General Fun
ston had designated to pursue Villa,
| information from the border pointed
to a force of cavalry. mountain artil-
lery and engineers which would total
| between 5000 and 5000 men
Would Swap Privilege.
Mexico City, March 13-General
Carranza last night issued a declara-
ton that under no circumstances
would Mexico grant the right to the
! United States to send in armed forces
to capture Villa without consent an
| the reciprocal privilege being first OBJ
| tanned. orders were sent to the con-
fidential agent of the Mexican govern
ment in Washington to make imme edi-
ate presentations to this effect.
The news of the attack on Column
bus by Villa and his followers was
| first made public here yesterday, when
the official organ, Ell Pueblo, publish
| ed the text of the note of the Mexican
government, asking the government at
Washington to permit the passage of
| Mexican soldiers into American ter
| ritory, if such became necessary in the
! pursuit of Villa and at the same time
| granting to the United States the re-
ciprocal privilege of entering Mexican
territory for the same purpose.
The text of the note to General Car
rama will be made public later today,
accompanied by statement which,
it is understood, will set forth that the
| United States is not intervening in
Mexican affairs but is acting to obviate
the necessity of doing so.
Endorse Agreement.
Senator Borah. Republican, of the
foreign relations committee who has
been one of the strongest opponents
of the ADMINISTRATORS Mexican policy.
said he saw no reason why General
Carranza'S reciprocal proposition
should not be accepted. Senator Fall
Republican, of New Mexico, although
opposed to the agreement, said he
would do nothing to prevent it being
carried out or to stay the United States
army in striking against Mexican out
laws.
Senator Borah gave President Will
sons determination to send troops
across the border to capture outlaws
his full endorsement, but declared it
would be the height of folly for the
congress to press preparations for war
when no one could tell what the pres
ent military action might lead to. All
Central America, he said, was appre-
hensive over the movement of Ameri-
can troops south of the Rio Grande