Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-22

mand at border stations. as they reahzeo
that In the event of military operation on
a big scale the great problems wouio DC
in the dealings with the various Dig unlts
of the Carranza army stationed "ithih
striking distance Of every port OF entry
from Brownsville to Lower Carranza.
News, that Juarez was being evacu-
ated by the Mexican garrison did NOT
surprise the headquarters stan Who
yesterday learned that Gen. Ricaut nau
removed his forces from Matamoros
and that similar action had been taken
at one or two other towns In no case,
however. have the Mexican FORCES
moved far south of the border
Apparently the intention OF Mexican
army officers has been to make sucn
disposition of their men that defense
could be maintained beyond towns
that lie under the guns planted on the
American side. Instead of evacuation
at all points, however, notable excep-
tion was offered at Piedras Negras, OPP
posite Eagle Pass. At that point the
garrison was increased by che arrival
Of Gen. Francisco Murgia with 2,0oo
troops. most of them Yaqui Indians
Additional troops also were added 10
the garrison at Ojinaga, opposite
reported a heavy concentration some
miles In the interior and in position 10
menace a rich valley on the American
side.
Vast Stores of Mexican Munitions.
vast quantities or ammunition and
supplies are already in storage in Mex
leo and at points along the border
for use of American troops, q high
army oficer at Cen Funstons head
quarters declared today.
Factories are in a position, he as
serted, to keep supplies going as fast
that the government had taken the
precaution to make large preliminary
purchases as well as to increase the
output of it's arsenals.
During the three months american
troops have been in Mexico such i'm
provement has been made in the army's
Organization and equipment that Of
ncers here admitted today that 1t Is
far better prepared than IL break
with Mexico had come Immediately
after the Villa raid.
The geratest forward step has been
made in the transportation depart
msnt, the army experts declared when
Gen. Pershing started his pursuit OF
Quartermaster Corps did not have
single motor truck as part of the
supply system: now there are upward
Of 500 machines in the service.
Not only have the trucks been used
for the transportation of supplies, but
they are being employed to rush
troops from place to place. Expert
ments have proven that entire regi-
ments can be moved in trucks much
more rapidly than cavalry.
Motor Transportation Extended.
Motor transportation has been ex-
tended to other branches within the
last three months. Automobile ambu-
lAnoes have been secured, big water
tanks for the supply Of troops have
been mounted on trucks and Gen.
Funston has obtained armored motor
cars on which machine guns are
mounted.
A large increase has been made In
the number Of motor cycles in use by
the army. Some Of these machines are
OF special construction. with machine
gun attachments.
est design are now at Columbus and
Will be sent into Mexico as soon as
new propsllers have been provided.
The long stretches Of territory to be
covered In Mexico have led to marked
0etterments In the Held wireless equip
mont and "busser' telegraph lines.
The latest acquisition Is a consign-
ment OF strong searchlights to aid in
locating the foe In night engagements,
The thick brush in Mexico makes II.
easy for men to escape in the night.
but officers believe that by use of the
searchiishts they can be detected.