Arizona republican., 1916-03-15
While Indications Are Car ranza Hopes to Capture Villa This Will Not Change United States Army Plans
ACTUAL CROSSING
 REMAINS MYSTERY
Even War Department Has Not Been Advised As to Whens Movement Across Mexican Border Will Begin
rRepubIican A. p. Leased WIrel

Republican A. p. Leased Wlre1
 WASHINGTON, March 14.-While there were indications in official dis patches from Mexico today that the de facto government was making a su- preme effort to capture Villa and his bandits with it's own forces, there was no sign that General Funston's orders to proceed on the same errand had been modified in any way.
 Word that American troops had crossed the border was still lacking. the war department itself not having been advised as to when the movement would begin.
 Congress took active notice of the border situation today for the first time. The house passed a joint reso- luton late in the day authorizing the recruiting of the mobile army to full strength This means the addition of approximately 10000 fighting men to the infantry, cavalry, and field artillery. The senate is expected to concur to- morrow and the necessary orders will be issued immediately to fill up regi- ments on border duty.
 This step was suggested by the army general staff. It is urgently de- sired now because of the weakening of the border force by the expedition af- ter Villa but ever since the patrol of the border began the army has been greatly handicapped by the skeleton or ganization of regiments. companies, troops and batteries. The force that oc- cupied Vera Cruz had similar difficult ties. some of the companies there being less than 40 men strong.
 Secretary Baker conferred today with Senator Chamberlain and Representa- tive Hay chairman of the congresson- al military committees and later Rep resentative Hay returned to the war department accompanied by RepreSen- tative Kahn, ranking republican mem her of the house committee. The reso- lution was Introduced by Reperesenta- tive Hay immediately upon his return to the capitol. It's consideration was expedited by the unanimous consent, and it's passage followed with only Representative London, socialist, vot- ing against it.
 At the state department steps were taken to make it certain that distorted versions of he American purpose in sending armed forces across the border were not given wide circulation in Mex ico By cable telegraph, radio and mail full statements of all that has trans pired since the raid upon Columbus and of the attitude of the United States ment with the CarranZa government went forward to consuls and state de- partment agents throughout the south ern republic. The intention is to keep these officials fully informed in order that he can correct immediately and au- thoriatively any misstatements or ap- prehensions in their districts. Also they will be able to advise Americans with a full knowledge of the situation.
 In effect. the United States has es- tablished a publicity bureau in MeXi- co to make clear it's peaceful purposes toward every resident of Mexico with the exception of Villa and the bandits who raided Columbus.
 The situation along the border was explained in detail to the cabinet today by Secretary Baker Troop dispOsi- tions so far as they are known to the war department were indicated on mil itary maps displayed in the cabinet room. The secretary, it is understood outlined the natural difficulties which General Pershing and his expedition will have to overcome, the adverse cli- matic conditions, lack of water, great streches of territory to be searched and |poor communication lines. The cabi- net also discussed the proposal to in crease the army to full strength The president has power to do this by ex- ecutive order but with congress in ses- sion it was deemed wiser that congress should act on it's own motion.
 The cabinet. considered also advices from many parts of Mexico, all of an assuring nature. There was no indica- tions among these of an anti -Ameri- can feeling because of the determina- tion to pursue and. capture or kill the bandits Later the state department made public the following message from it's representative at Queretaro, where the Carranza government is now To- cated:
 Reply of the United States to de | factor governments note of March 10 Columbus border situation, received al | five this afternoon. Personally pre- ! scented this important communication l orally and in writing to Foreign Secre l tary Acuna at 5:30 D m. He read sam, l in my presence and afterwards said: N1 am pleased to receive a reply ot l this character from the government of | the United States. It will relieve the very delicate situation that has de- i veloped owing to the Columbus affair l l will immediately transmit this re l ply to the chief executive and am of tn 1 opinion that there will be reply t, | this courteous note expressing appre ] Continued on Page Two)