Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23
WITHDRAWAL WILL
DEPEND ON FINDINGS
Recommendations, Based on
Observations Along Border,
Mailed Last Night. .
CHIEF OF STAFF LEARNS
OF DEFENSIVE ATTITUDE
Evidence in Hand Parral Mayor
Served Ultimatum on Col. Brown
Not to Advance.


Hugh l.. Scott. chief OF
staff of the United States Army.
and Gen. Frederick Funston. un-
der whose direction the punitive
expedition in Mexico is operating.
tonight sent to Washington what
was said to be joint report OF
the conclusions reached at their
conference here today.
Neither would discuss the char
acter of the report, but the send
ing of joint report was taken to
indicate that the two army Off
Gals are in accord on recon-
mendations that Gen. Scott will
make when he returns to Wash
ington.
SAN ANTONIO. Tex. April 22-Ma3.
Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief Of stan of the
United States Army, tonight had vir-
tually completed the purpose of his mis-
sion to army headquarters here-the
gathering of frst-hand information of
conditions along the border and in Mex
ico-but gave no intimation of what
conclusions he reached or recommends.
tions he will make to Secretary of War
Baker.
Gen. Scott probably will leave to-
morrow for Washington, to make a
personal report to the Secretary OF
War. on which. 1t is believed. de-
cision as to whether the United States
punitive expedition will continue in
pursuit of Villa or is to be withdra wn
from Mexico. will be based.
Asked II the withdrawal of the troops
Piled: We have not reached a con-
clusion." He nodded his head toward
Gen. Funston when he said I'VE"
Have Gone Over Reports.
Since his arrival here last night Gen.
Scott has been with Gen. funston al
most constantly. Together they have
read such reports came from the
base at Columbus. from officers along
the line of communication and from
Gen. Pershing. None of these reports
lean forces. but Gen. Scott gained at
first hand an idea of the defensive at
titude the punitive expedition has as
sumed
tary had sent him here for a more COM
parative report of the situation than
it had been possible to receive over
the telegraph wires. and that the min
ute his work was completed he would
leave for Washington. He was en-
gagged all day going over records Of
the expedition and details of incidents.
both north and south of the boundary.
Gen. Funston placed before the chief
Of staff all the reports from Gen:
known to have appealed for more
troops and authority to adopt a more
radical method of operations. These
and other reports set forth the antaE-
certain Carranza minor officials and
troops.
Gen Scott was also given opportun-
ity to learn just how and why the ex-
pedition was forced into a defensive
position. instead of continuing the pur-
suit Of Villa. who now appears to have
escaped into the districts beyond tho
furthest advanced detachment of Gen.
Pershing's command.
Ultimatum From Parral Mayor.
There was at his hand the evidence
tending TO show that the mayor of
ParraI had served on Col. w. c. Brown
at Santa Cruz what virtually was an
ultimatum after the fight at Parral
that he must not ADVANCE 1ufthef
1t is understood that the difficulties
met with in maintaining a winding
line of communica ton 400 miles Ions.
guarded by troops. and the importance
of esta ablishing a shorter route. relier-
ing a greater part of the punitive force
for duty at the front. was emphasized
by stan officers who conferred with
Gen. Scott
the movement of Mexican troops in
northern Mexico and of reports. both
official and unofficial. of activities of
men and groups of men who are cred
tied with plans for fomenting fresh
ernment At departmental headquar-
ters there also was information that
indicated a plan by certain Mexicans.
some of them Mexican officials. to re-
sumo the raids on the border west of
Implicated in this plan.
It was said, were some of the same
men who participated in them last
summer.
The routine of Gen. Pershing's oper-
atoms continued today. and more OF
by Gen. Funston arrived at the frontier
base, No additional troops had been
ordered into this department to take
their places on the border patrol. but
such forces, IL was learned today. had
been requested by Gen. Funston.
Six of Army's AeropIanes
Are Destroyed and Two Are
Being Repaired in Columbus
COLUMBUS. N. NJ. April 22.1-six OF
he eight aeroplanes which he b been
Used by tho expeditionary diers in
1e1Ieu1oHo ho0R16 60affoxod N0Efhou