The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-17
Border Shippers Said to Ee Giv-
ing Trouble, Although De.
tails Are Not Published
WARSHIPS ORDERED TO
PREPARE FOR DUTY
Carranzistas Deride Reports
Diaz and Zapata Can Muster
Large Reinforcemcnts to Aid
Villa

III Paso, Tex, March ts.--
General Gavira tonight trans
mitted request from General
Obregon. the Carranza Mintster-
OF war, that no garrisons be cs-
tablfshed by General Persl,ing In
Mexican towns. Obregon said
such n step would he certain to
cause clash.
Washington, March l6-Con-
fidential dispatches To the War
Department Night. which
leaked out in spite of the efforts
of officials 10 keep them secret,
show that the situation on the
Mexican border is far from re-
assuring.
The department was informed
that shipping has occurred mt Sew
eral points. I'm view of the known
feeling of the Mexican military
and civil populations I'm tho
towns across the border from
Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.
this gave cause for Official alarm.
From the reports reaching Wash
ington tonight, II was impossible Ia
learn whether the shipping was direct
ed against the American military ex-
petitions now in Mexico, or whether
the snipers were operating against
Secretary of War Baker tonight re-
ceived long dispatch from General
Funston, outlining in full his froop
movements across the border, giving
the composition of his forces the
number OF guns and the plans for the
campaign to capture villa. This mes
sage was communicated to President
Wilson and Will be placed BEFORE the
ca binet tomorrow.
t. I'm
Navy Department has sent orders to
all naval vessels undergoing over
hauling in navy yards. to be ready for
possible service,
Do Not Wish to Narm Mexico.
The Navy Department has been
compelled to act with caution. as there
Is no desire tc make any threatening
naval movement in Mexloan waters.
The department has been acting on
the theory that Carranza must be pre-
sunned to be operating in good faith
untu conditions show the contrary.
Nevertheless steps are beipg taken TO
nut the feet in readiness and war
ships on both the East a-d West
coast are being held within easy reach
of Mexican waters
The battleship- Kentucky was order
ed from New Orleans to Vera Crux
today Its powerful wireless In need
warships if necessity arises.
The War Department has been ad-
yised that the Signal Corps Is fol-
lowing the expeditionary force Into
Mexico and Is building telegraph lima
to the first field base established. This
wire will be kept open for military
and press dispatches.
The uuartermaster corps has estaD-
lished supply depots at Chicago ana
ST. Louis for the transportation or
food supplies TO the armies on the
border and in the field Fresh meats
will be sent direct to FL Pasp and
Columbus in refrigerator cars for ship
ment over the lines OF communication
established by rail and motor truck
direct 10 the bases in the interior,
Motor Trucks Ordered.
The War Department today sent
officers to the factory of the White
Motor Company at Cleveland and the
Jeffrey Motor Company at Kenoshs
To supervise the shipment of twenty
seven motor trucks from each factory
for use on the border. Tire officers will
accompany the shipments to FL Paso.
and thence to Columbus. ". NJ, where
the motor trucks will be used to trans
port food supplies, ammunition and
water to supply bases In interior
Mexico
These fiftyfour motor trucks viii
be added te those already on tho
border, They will patrol the line Of
communication established from the
supply bases to the border conccntra-
ton camps. In addition there Will ba
motorcycle patrols established. TWEEN
ty-eight chauffeurs and Ave motors
cyclists will be assigned to each
motor truck company
The line of communication patrol-
led by the motor truck and motors
cycle squads will be independent q
the rail- communication. So long -
Fnnston's troops are In Mexico. the
railway lines running south from tbs
border will be kept open for transpot-
satlon OF supplies. particularly water.
the shortage OF which r. the greatest
handicap under which the troops will
operate while In the desert belt ~
Northern Mexico.
There were insistent reports teday
that the War Department would uAf1
out the military regiments pt Texas.
Arizona and New Mexico for duty n
patrclltng the border. - that trospe
now on na1roI daaty might ~ FslNaAe4
10 Jain tbs expedition intq Mexicos I'M ks
thu War Department reftaeed ~
cuxsc the suh3eet. S;2 ii Il s IsS 8 II j S|z&
i serrrsary AZ NJ