The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-04
MONTHS OF ACTIVE SERVICE AWAITING
 MILITIA ON BORDER
(Continued from Page One)


 course might have on General Car ranza's suspicious as to the real pur- poses of the American government. The expedition, without general officer in command, would lose something of it's significance in military eyes, it Is said, and be viewed as nothing more than the policing force it was designed to be. Some officials believe this might not be lost upon General Car ranza and would tend to bear out the assertions of the Washington govern ment that it's troops be withdrawn from Mexico as soon as the danger of ban dit raids across the border had been ended
 Submission of the dual command pro- posed to General Pershing, however, was viewed here as confirming the often reiterated statement that President Will son is not now considering withdrawal of the expedition from Mexico. Final de- cision as to what course will await the reply to Secretary Lansing's note demand
 ing that General Carranza explain his hostile orders to his troops in the vii cinity of the expeditionary columns.
 It can be stated on the highest au- thority that General Pershings orders have not been changed in any respect, and that the shortening of his line was made necessary by purely military ques- tions of supply and defense determined by himself and General Funston without reference to Washington. Complete lack of any local supplies of forage as we'll as the apparent imminence of a Mexican attack in force, led General Pershing to order his men northward
 Eliseo Arredondo, Mexican ambassador designate, pointed out today that the movement of the American troops toward the border had created a good impress ion in Mexico City. He was hopeful that the differences between the two gov ernments would be adjusted amicably. As supporting the declarations of his gov ernment that it was taking all possible steps to stop bandit operations in the border region, MT. Arredondo said that IS rapidly as General. Pershing's men had | moved northward, Mexican troops had taken their places and a strict police control of the territory had been main- l tained.
 OBJECT ALMOST ACCOMPLISHED r This situation already had presented it.
 self to state department officials. While 1 the hostile utterances and orders of the de facto government have brought about
 a crisis, the object which the Washing | ton government has consistently sought,
 it was pointed out, seems in fair way
 toward being accomplished
 1 There never has been any purpose, it l was said, but to withdraw completely
 from Mexico when the de facto govern
 ment showed he willingness and ability
 to furnish adequate military protection 1 to the border region. That now is being
 given, apparently, in the sections from
 which General Pershing has withdrawn,
 although it also has appeared that the Mexican troops are being disposed for | the primary purpose of making display | of force against any southern movement ! by the Americans.
 1 It is not known whether this aspect of
 the situation has been called to President 1 Wilson's attention, or whether it may be regarded as justifying further retirement | toward the border Up to this time, how
 ever, there has been no change in policy | and no movements ordered by General l Pershing have been made with any other
 than military objects.
 {; The state department had no advces | today regarding the probable datu when a reply to the demand presented more 1 than a week ago might be received. MT ] Arredondo also professed ignorance of | his governments plans. The latest inti- nation reaching the state department was ! tEat the Mexican note would be transmit' ted through the embassy, although the l amba ssador felt certain it would come through Special Agent Rodgers al Mex ico City. MT. Arredondo emphatically I denied suggestions that the communica- ton already had reached him and was being held up for telegrapnic instruc- tions to deliver it. That was the course pursued with the long demand for with | drawal of American troops sent severa weeks ago, which was brought by mes
 senger from Mexico City,