Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-12

Rigid secrecy.
WASHINGTON, March II. - Gem
eral Funston. under orders from
President Wilson to hunt down villa :
bandit army in northern Mexico. was
moving his troops at the order tonight
behind "a veil of rigid secrecy.
War department officials who had
given the border commander a free
hand in working out details of the ex-
petition. made il clear that they re-
garded it imperative to success that
all information which might aid Villa
in eludng the American forces must
bc guarded scrupulously.
1t was apparent only that the milf
tary plans contemplated drive into
Mexico that should be both quick and
certain. The war department is Will
ing to take no chances by weakening
the border patrol and General Fun
ston's orders were not to move until
he was fully prepared.
Wireless to Wilson.
Secretary Baker and his chief sub
ordinatcs remained at the war depart
ment until late tonight receiving dis
patches from General Funston and
doing everything possible to back up
his plans. Many of the dispatches were
forwarded by wireless to President
Wilson down the Potomac on the
Mayflower. But whether troops had
entered Mexico or just when they
might move across the border the Of
ficials would not say.
General Funston himself has urged
that all secrecy surround the move
ment of troops so he may have an op-
portunity to surprise the bandit chief
tain.
While extensive troop movements
were in progress along the border
during the day the state department
received from General Carranza. head
of the de facto government of Mexico
request for permission to send his
troops, should occasion arise, across
the border into the United States In
pursuit of the bandits.
The note was Immediately forward
ed 10 President Wilson on the May
flower and tonight he sent word he
would confer with Secretary Lansing
before making any decision.
May Give Permission
There was every indication that Of
ficials viewed General CarranZa's re-
quest in n favorable light. 1t was
suggested, however that such a recip-
rocal arrangement probably never
would result in 4 single CarranZa
soldier entering the United states Tor
CIIlclIlS reel tllil Will lllt tiSnt'HliiS
of the border patrol the possibility that
any fugitive bandits will cross is re-
mote. At the same time IL is felt
that acauiescence by the United States
in the proposal of the de facto gov
crnment would go far toward gaining
the sympathy of public opinion in
those rarts of Mexico which are un-
Ger the control of the recognized gov
ernment.
General CarranZa's note relieved the
apprehension of some administration
officials who had considered there
was possibility he might object to
the presence of American troopers on
Mexican soil The communication in
dicated that no objection would be
raised under such a reciprocal ar
rangement as was suggested. A re-
ply probably will be sent sometime
Monday.
$500 Troops
It generally is expected that Amer
lean forces which probably Will num-
Der in the neighborhood of $500 men
will by that time be well on the trail
of the bandits who raided Columbus.
One of the chief causes of delay has
been the necessity of replacing with
infantry the cavalry troops which
have been performing border patrol
duty. Movement of troops has been
in progress ever since General Funs-
ton received his orders to catch Villa
but their exact nature may not be
known for several days.
Discussion in congressional circles
today indicated further that congress
stands squareiy behind the president
in his determination to run down the
villa marauders. The senate foreign
relations committee met and unani-
mously endorsed the presidents ac-
tion. In the house Representative
Mott Of New York. Republican
member of the foreign affairs COM
mittee introduced joint resolution
justifying the president "in the en-
ployment' of armed forces Of the
United States" and setting forth that
"the United States disclaims any
hostility to the Mexican people or any
purpose to make war on Nexico.'
There was no general discussion Of
the subject on the floor Of either
house.