Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-06-27
MEXICAN FORCES ON
BORDER WITHDRAWING
TO SAFE POSITIONS
Belief Prevalent Among OFF,
GERS Stationed Along Border
That Open Break Can Not Be
Avoided Much Longer
(By Associated Press.)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, June 26.-
News reaching army headquarters here
today would seem to indicate that the
Mexican forces along the Rio Grande
from Matamoros to Juarez either have
withdrawn their main strength from the
border or are preparing to do so. 1t also
is indicated that these troops are taking
station at strategic points along line
we'll south of the border where railroad
functions allow of the rapid handling of
troops or where the topography of the
country permit of a strong defense.
Their new line, it is reported, parallels
in a way the course OF the Rio Grande
and would command the main lines of
advance toward the trategic points of
Monterey and Saltillo, the COalhuila coal
mines which furnish the main fuel sup
ply of Mexico and on which the move
ment of locomotives depends, Paredon,
the main railroad junction point between
Monterey and Saltillo, and Torreon and
which probably will be the main base Of
the Mexican army, and Chihuahua City.
The Mexican garrisons at Matamoros
Nuevo Laredo and Juarez are said to be
mere shells. But. negligible force is
said to be stationed opposite Del Rio ana
the strongest force along the border,
that at Piedras Negras, opposite Eagle
Pass, is reporting to be preparing to
evacuate at moments notice. The force
at Piedras Negras is commanded by
General Francisco Murguia, whom Gen.
eral Carranza is said to have had diff
fculty in controlling times past.
BREAK EXPECTED SOON.
General Funston's forces along the
border are ready and waiting for any
movement which the Mexican situation
NAV make necessary. Unless some
overt act of the de fecto government
should cause it, such a move will come
only at the express direction of Of
fciaIs at Washington.
Army officers here express the belief
that even should negotiations with the
Carranza government, as a result of the
note dispatched by Secretary Lansing
Yesterday be long continued, the feeling
now prevalent among the Mexicans
across the border would cause some act
that must precipitate a clash.
The complete story of the Carrizal
fight. partly told last night in the letter
from Captain Morey, of the Tenth cav
airy. eagerly is awaited by General
Funston. Captain Morey's message to
his wife last night in which he ar
nounced his safe arrival at the main
American column would indicate that
his physical condition after his eXtrdod-
binary escape from death or capture
after he had been left at his own com
mand to die from wounds and thirst by
three of his men who had attempted to
carry him away from the encounter IL
which the American forces were broken
and scattered, was such that his report
" ould not be long delayed.
Army officers are convinced that Gen.
eral Jacinto Trevino's statement that
he would attack American troops an-
preaching Oio Caliente and San An
tonic was not an empty threat and are
waiting anxiously for more news OF the
two sduardons of the Eleventh cavalry,
sent toward CarrizaL Some conjecture
has been caused as to the identity OF
the American troops reported approach
ing these places, as there are five Ojo
Calientes in that part of Chihuahua
and San antonio is also L common name
for the villages there.