Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-11
FUNSTON SUPREME
ALONG BORDER
Given Full Powers to Send as Many
Soldiers a. He Needs and 70 Conduct
Campaign - Strict Seerecy to Be
Maintained az to Troop Movements
a After They Cross Border mo OBJ
jsetion Expected on Part Of carranza.

Funston to dispatch defensive ex-
pedition into Mexico In pursuit Of Villa
and his bandits are today In General
Funston's hands. Secretary, Baker an
nounced that full discretion as to the
number OF men to be used and the
route to be followed had been left with
General Funston. , ~. "
Strict ssersey Maintained.
The strictest secrecy was being OBJ
served by war department officials to-
day regarding the army,s plan for the
capture OF the villa bandits. .'E 4 =
This is in accordance with the earn
est request Of General Funston, the OBJ
iect beins - prevent villa learning Of
the army expedition. e&5
II was. made plain that the expedition
was purely punitive measure for the
euppressiong of outlaws and that vas
soon ~ the forces Of the de facto goy-
eTnment Of Moxico were In control Of
! the xitnation, any American troops
4 fhan + Mexico would be withdrawn. sss
Carranxa Will Not ohjse4.
The state department. has Informed
Gssrisfai cafranxa OF the action Of the
WashInaton government ana exprsssed
the hope that he would not object
Eliaeo Arredondo, Carranza's ambas-
sador here, has Indicated that his chief
would not oppose the move.
81 Members Of congress- without regard
to party approve the step. the only diff
ference or opinion being on the part of
certain republicans. who favor even
more extensive operations than those
planned. On both sides OF the capitol
the dispasition apparently is to allow
sthes president to handle the situation
for the present &..-
70 Grant carranxa's Request.
While American troops are prepar-
ing to move across the Mexican border.
General Carranza in an official COM
munication, delivered thru Consul
Eiliiman. has asked the United States
for permission to send his troops into
American territory II necessary in pur-
suit Of outlaws.
Administration officials urged Gem
eral Carranza's proposals as favorable.
1t seems to Indicate that he will not
protest against American troops on
Mexican soil. as has been feared.
Practically such a reciprocal ar
rapgement probably would never result
In "a single Carranza soldier crossing
the line. as the possibility, of bandits
taking refuge in American territory is
considered remote. ss3s. ID
II is realized that such an arrange
ment, however, would go far to satisfy
Carr api1s and past1s;:.. I:::: &c comply
with popular sentiment in Mexico.
There was no indication early today
how the proposal would be received. 4
Troops Moving by Night.
sss UP to noon today no American
troops actually had crossed so far as Is
known here, and 1t was believed none
would start moving before night. All
arrangements are In the hands of Gem
erai Funston.
villa today was reported moving
sOutheast with not more than 300 men.
Last nights report gave his force ~
5000, but that Is believed to include
Sympethizcr In his territory.
BY his movement southeast It was
thought q threatened attack on the
American Mormon colony at Casas
Grandes has passed for the present.
Many Offer 10 Volunteer.
- - -; = :.... denartment wae daluRed
with kilograms from individuals and
organizations offering their service as
volunteers There was at present,
Secretary Baker, said. no need OF sum
n1oning volunteers to the colors.
f Secretary Baker said he had no an
snouucement TO make as to whether
General Funston would lead the ex-
peditionary force. Il
1t was pointed out that several par
{ ties under different leaders might be
Aent from various points on the border.
CSaf1araJ Tnlusf0y1 today cnnfirrpd fhe