Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-18
PRESIDENT CONSULTED
BEFORE THE Meeting
Presence of Gen. Mills Indication
State Troops May Be Mob
ilized on Boundary.
PLAN FOR A POSSIBLE CLASH
General Stan Chiefs 60 Over Course
to Be Pursued Should Con-
fict Occur With Carranza
n Forces.

A battle between Mexicans and
United States troops yesterday
was announced last night by New
ton D. Baker, Secretary of War,
as he came from a conference
with President Wilson at the
White House.
After he left the White House
Secretary Baker went into con-
ference with Maj. Gen. Scott,
chief of staff, at the War De-
partment, and later Maj. Gen.
Bliss, assistant chief of staff, and
Brig. Gen. Mills, chief of the
militia division, were summoned.
In Conference Until Midnight.
The three officers remained closeted
with the Secretary until nearly midnight.
None Of them would disclose the nature
Of their talk, but they are understood to
have gone over very carefully what
course would be pursued in case Of a
clash between Carranza and American
troops.
The presence Of Gen. Mills was taken
% conArmation that one Of the first
stsps 70 ineet sucm deveiopment
would be a mobilization Of more Ma
tionai Guardsmen at the border After
the conference Gen. Scott said no new
troop orders Of any sort had been sent
or decided upon. When the depart
ment closed for the night no further
report from Gen. Funston regarding
the Brownsville situation had been re-
ceived.
Tells Little Of the Fight.
The Secretary Of War would give no
information as to how many United
States troops had been engaged in yes
terday's fight and had no list of cas-
ualties from the border. He confined
himself to a statement that fifty BAN
dts. according to the official dispatches.
had crossed the border near Browns
Vile and had been chased back. After
ward. he said. there had been IAN en-
gagement" near San Benito. not far
from brownsville. Lieut.. A. u. Newman
of the Sd Cavalry had been sent out to
see II he could find the trail of the
raiders who had crossed the Rio Grande
into the United States; he had found 1t,
followed the Mexicans, and battle en-
sued.
The official dispatches sent to Wash
ington were taken to the White House.
where Secretary Baker had an engage
ment with the President for o'clock.
and they were at once laid before the
President. A host of newspaper men
awaited Mr.. Baker outside the White
House, but he said he had little to add
to the news dispatches. When Mr..
Baker was asked IL army officers on
the border confirmed news dispatches
that Carranzista soldiers have been or
dered to intercept the American troops
pursuing the bandit raiders. he said no
such connrmatory dispatches had been
received. and declared that he would
place more credence in reports that
troops had been moved than In reports
that they had been ordered to move.
Not Anxious About Warning.
In administration circles last night
1t was understood that the question of
the warning of Gen. Trevino that any
movement of American troops in Mex
leo except toward the border would be
treated by Carranza commanders as a
hostile act is not giving the Washing
ton government any anxiety.
After his conference with President
Wilson Secretary Baker said that he
border and that Gen. Pershing had ask
ed for no reinfofcements.
Il look for no immediate trouble
there" said the Secretary. THAT situa.
tion seems not to be imminent"
Asked specifically II he was preparing
to send any National Guardsmen ia
the border Secretary Baker said he
would not discuss that subject. and II
any orders are issued in the future they
will speak for themselves.
News Beaches War Department.
Confirmation Of Gen. Trevino's warn.
ing that any movement OF American
troops In Mexico except toward the
border would be treated by the Car.
franza commanders as hostile &C,
| reached the War Department late yes
terday Secretary Baker declined te
comment or to make public Gen. Ire.
Pershtng refusing to recognize author.
| ity Of the Carransa generals over the
American expedition.
While II was apparent that. Gen
Pershing's reply would be backed up by
ofFiciais here II was not Indicated whai
| further action the Washington govern
ussnt might take. Secretary Baker tool
ths tsxt o. Gen. Trsvino's ultimatum ID