Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-06-19
VIII Mobilize In Their Respec-
i've States, Ready for
Action If Needed
OFFICIALS HOWEVER
BELIEVE WAR CERTAIN
Expected That Mexicans viii
Attack Pershing Which
Means Intervention
By Carl D. GrOat.

Omitted Press staff correspODdent.l
Washington, June 19,-Seeretary Of
War Baker took steps today 10 make
the national guard available for imme-
date duty in Mexico. The secretary
through General COwden sent copy
of a special resolution to Chairman
Hay of the house military affairs com
mittee, which, if acted ON favOrably
by congress, would make effective at
once that section of the new army law
which gives the war department au-
thOrity to order the militia into for
eign territory.
After reading the communication,
Secretary Lansing refused in anyway
to discuss its contents.
1t was said the message was a ere
quest or demand'' for an early re-
ply to Carrtnza's last note.
Neither the secretary nor General
CFowder would discuss the step. Other
Officers, members of the general staff,
insisted it was merely a precaution-
ary plan. They said the situation
was admittedly teeming with the wild
est possibilities and that every effort
would be made to be completely pre-
pared for any eventuality.
Admitting the gravity Of the situa-
ton Secretary Lansing today said:
Mexico Badly Excited 81
"There is more excitement and irri-
tation in Mexico than heretofore"
The statement was the more sig
nificant in view Of Lansing's persist
ent refusal for weeks past to make any
comment except to mention "cOOpera-
tion" with the de facto government.
A note of 10000 words more--a.
strong and forceful refusal to heed
Carran2a s withdrawal request-will
be en- route to First Chief Carranza
before night. This note may precipi-
tate the trouble that every official
fears-an actual clash between Mexi-
can forces and Americans.
Announcement that the note would
90 today was made after the Mexican
embassy had delivered u secret note
Ito Lansing.
Consul John r. Silliman is en- route
for the border leaving the interior Of
Mexico without any full American con-
suls in charge.
War department officials today ex-
pressed qualification over reports from
railroads Of the country as to ability
and willingness to aid in the mObihza-
ton Of militia These reports would
not be made public but officials de
clared the railroad problem the least
of their difficulties.
Several months ago officials ex-
planned, this transportation question
was discussed and plans laid for just
such an emergency.
The situation was further c0mphcat-
ed when Mexican Ambassador Desig-
mate Arrcdondo presented to Secretary
of State Lansing a request that all AM
erican naval officers in Mexican waters
be instructed not to disembork, Z" dur
ing this time of excitement event If
they are unormed in order to prevent
possible complications.
Senator Arredondo said he had tele-
graphed in full to Carran7a Secretary
Bakers orders of yesterday calling OUT
the militia He explained he wanted
his first chief to be sure to get thu
portion of the explanation which called
particular attention to the fact that the
militia was for border duty.
The request regarding naval COM
manders, as the note pointed out, was
a result of clash recently between
American marines and Mexican soldiers
lat Mazatlan, the report of which was
sent to Arredondo. This report read:
yesterday (June lSl morning, some
marines in a launch attempted TO dis
embark at the wharf and were request