Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-11


which the president was described as
being determined to eliminate villa
as he was to eliminate lluerta, Sec
retary Baker hurried to the war de-
partment and as his frs tact in office
sent orders to the border troops.
Strict Censorship.
Soon afterward the army general
staff assembled and conferred over
the plans, long drawn and perfected
since the Mexican situation loomed
up as a disturber to the peace of the
United States.
General Funston telegraphed urg-
ing the utmost secrecy in the army
plans. The border Is honeycombed
with Mexican spies and 1t was agreed
that the expedition would be pushed
to success by keeping villa and h!s
men ignorant of its movements.
II is possible that no cor
respondents will be permitted to ac-
company the columns At any rate
strict cesorshp Will be imposed.
Former Secreta:? Garrison. famil-
lar with the army's Mexican plans by
his association with the crisis of two
years ago, came to Washington and
offered his services to aid his sue
cessor. They were at once accepted
and Mr.. Garrison went into confer
once with Secretary Baker at the war
department.
Carrnnza Mont -COmmittal.
General Carranza in IA telegram to
the state department expressed regret
at the Columbus massacre but made
no comment on the proposal of send
ing American troops to hunt down
the bandits. Eliseo Arredondo. his
ambassador here. was officially in
formed OF the American govern
ments action. lie replied only that
he would communicate with his chief
He has previously expressed the per
sonal opinion that the movement
would not be opposed.
State department officials declined
to say what their attitude would be
if General Carranza took "a hostile po-
sition. They said the United States
would settle that question when it
arose. If an offer Of cooperation of
Carranza troops was made. they said.
it could hardly be refused.
Action Has Precedent
To-Day General CarranZa ordered
five thousand troops from various
garrisons to move upon the Villa
forces. The effect If their advance
probably would be to keep the villa
bandits near the border but Secre-
tary Lansing announced during the
day that no matter how far into
Mexico IL was necessary for American
forces to penetrate or to what mum
bers II became necessary to increase
their force. the United States would
consider the expedition punitive one
purely for the suppression OF outlaw ws.
For such action there Is ample prec-
edent in International law and in fact
In the relations of the United States
with Mexico.
How many Of the twelve thousand
troops now on the border will be en-
ployed has not fully been determined.
The general plan will he to distribute
the infantry to guard the border
towns. while the cavalry will be re-
leased for securing the mountains,
deserts. sagebrush and arroyos. In
order not to weaken the defense OF
border towns 1t may be necessary to
move other troops from interior posts
to the border.
May Use the Navy
No prospect of using the national
guard exists in the situation tonight.
but any larger scale OF operations
would involve II. No orders have been
given to the navy. The fleet with
more than ten thousand bluejackets
and marines available for landing
duty Is on the winter drilling ground
off Guantanamo, Cuba, within easy
sailing distance of Mexican waters,
should anti-Amerlcan demonstrations
or uprislngs endanger other foreign
ers.
While the government counts the
naval force AZ available, there is
every disposition to do nothing in the
way OF navy demonstration which
might be regarded as menacing
Carranza from whom the United
States hopes and expects co-opera-
ton. passive at least II not active.
scene. a'p In eonsress uun.e two '"s Years 'r arc