The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-18
FLEE FROM MEXICO
200 Americans From Interior
Reach Vera Cruz.
Some Return After Sizing Up
Mexican Situation.
FIND 500 MORMONS SAFE.
Report Indicates Pershing
Making 80 Miles a Day.
CaSaS GrandeS RumOr Revives
Fear at TT. Houston.

Washington, March 1S.-Navy de-
partment reports today from Vera
Cruz say about 200 Americans from
Mexico City and other interior points
have arrived there, most of them
acting upon advices from friends and
relatives in the United States urging
them to leave Mexico. Conditions at
Vera Cruz, the message said, are quiet
and many of the Americans, after in
vestigation of reports as to the situa-
ton, are returning to the interior.
The arrival of the expeditionary
troops in the vicinity of Casas Grandes
was greeted along the border with
sigh of relief, insofar as the fate of
the 500 American Mormons at Co
lonia Morales is concerned. The sol
diers already are south of these set
Elements and fears for the safety of
the colonists have been removed.
Some Expect Trouble.
While the expedition has passed
peacefully thus far into northern
Mexico and the Carranza officials have
shown every indication of their will
lingness and ability to avoid friction,
the tension along the Rio Grande mas
by no means relaxed. 1t is feared
there will be trouble when fighting
with Villa actually starts. The
lengthening lines of communication
of the American, it is pointed out, Of
fer tempting bait for raids by guer-
rillas. The refugees who throng the
border towns are especially insistent
that the first bloodshed will be a
signal for trouble.
However, thus far the border is
very peaceful. Ell Paso is especially
so, except for the rumor factories
which are working night and day at
full blast. Capt. W. D. Green, night
chief of police, said today he had
never known the city to be so peace
full and 80 free from crime
Full Cooperation.
San Antonio, March 1S.-General
Gaviras reported refusal to permit
the American troops who are pursu-
ing Francisco Villa in Mexico to en-
ter the town of Casas Grandes served
to revive doubt at Fort Sam Hous-
ton today of the full cooperation of
the defacto governments forces. The
announcement of General Gavira,
commandant at JuareZ, that General
Pershings troops had arrived almost
at the outskirts of Casas Grandes and
had planned to enter during the night
was the first news received by Cen
eral Funston that the punitive forces
had gone that far south. 1t was
known that General Pershing was
pushing his column, but to have
reached Casas Grandes last night in
Dictated an average march of about
thirty miles day.
Outcome Problematic.
What General Pershing intended to
do in answer to the refusal of the
Mexican commander to allow him to
Grandes was not known at General
Funston's headquarters, but it was not
regarded as probable that he would
make an issue of the point. Here it
was believed General Pershing would
be content to remain beyond the city
limits of the town unless the pres
ence of his troops within the town
for the protection of the Americans
living there seemed advisable.
The latest reports from General
Pershing told of no clashes with Mexi-
cans and did not indicate the exact
location of Villa. 1t still is believed
he is in the mountains of the Ga
leana district, but that he will con-
tinue his shifting flight without offer
ing formal resistance perhaps for
many days.
May Not Be Pershing's Force.
That General Pershing is personally
with the troops which were reported
to have arrived at Casas Grandes, was
doubted. 1t was considered more
AAneAy IAaI Inc 1orce matted I1ere is a
cavalry detachment sent forward by
General Pershing under Colonel Slo-
cum or possibly Colonel Dodd's force.
Secretary Lane Delivers Address.
An aerial parade of military aero
planes headed by four record holding
aviators was one of the features of
the day. Franklin K. Lane, secretary
of the interior and representative of
President Wilson, delivered the ad-
dress OF the day. Exposition officials
are confident that the venture will
have a more successful season than it
enjoyed last year. Many exhibits were
brought intact from San Francisco at
| the close of the Panama Pacific In
ternational exposition.
DAILY WEATHER REPORT.