Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-05-23
SITUATION IS
GROWING VERY
DESPERATE
Officials of State Department
Believe Crisis Is al Hand
in Mexico.
MEXICAN OFFICIALS ARE
ACTING MORE FRIENDLY
Believe That Conferences ON
Border Have Had Excel
lent Effect.

WASHINGTON, May 22-The econom.
ic situation in Mexico is extremely
great, according to official advices to.
day to the State Department. With
the monetary problem already acute.
the food shortage in Mexico City and
vicinity continuing without prospects
of any immediate relief, and with the
labor strikes extending over virtually
all the Mexican railway lines, the de
facto government is pictured as fac
ing a serious domestic plight.
! While reports as to the domestic
situation Of the Carranza government
are gloomy, the attitude Of the Mexi.
can official toward the United States
has been described as more friendly
since the border conference between
Generals Scott and ObregOn.
Since the State Departments rep.
RESERVATIONS as to the renewed raid
ing in the Big Bend country Of Tex
as has not been answered, the note
| is expected to go into that subject.
I OhlGials here, including Secretary IA
ker, say the military conference ON,
the border left the situation un-
changed as to steps to be taken as
regards new raids.
Right to Follow Hot Trails
The Washington government Is still
proceeding on the theory that the
right to follow hot trails across the
border has been established. and
General EunstOn's instruction are bas-
ed on this view. 55sbf
Refuse to Take Oath
Reports from General Funston
show that ZIG members OF the Texas
National Guard had refused to take
the mastering oath and enter the
Federal service under the Presidents
call. Mr.. Bakers military advisers
are preparing recommendations for
him. They appear to agree that the
men are subject to courtmartial, un-
der the existing militia law, and 1t Is
known that some officers believe they
should be tried and punished as q
warning to National Guardsmen in
general that they are undertaking q
serious responsibility in joining the
organization. The Secretary himself
has postponed a study of the law in
the case until all the facts are be-
fore him.
Makes srusque Demands
Columbus, New Mexico, May o.
Cavalry returning here today from
far southern marches brought news
of brusque demands made on them by
General Cavazos, the Carranza Of
ficer, in command of several thous-
and men, now policing the sections
of Chihuahua from Parcal, n0rthward
to San Antonio.
The demands were made on the
18th cavalry, in command Of Major
Robert L. Howe, q few days ago.
This cavalry, after annihilating half
of large band of Villistas at Ojos
Azuleves, was rescued south OF San
Antonio, making ready to clean up
the rest of the bandits.
Demands Return OF Corn
For the first week after their de.
feat, these villistas never reappeared
in groups of more than four ana the
Americans played waiting game.
General Cavazos demanded from Gen.
eral Howe, the corn which the Am
erican troops had seized from the ue.
feated villisatas. Next, the Carran.
"a leader demanded that he be given
the horses, which the Americans had
taken. He was notified that any prop
erty would be paid for in fun. but
that the money would be siven to the
original owner of the property.
Finally, General Cavazos demanded
that the Americans retreat north.
ward. This was fatty refused. The
Carranza commander then requested
permission to march past, or through
the american positions to consoli-
datd his commands with reinforce
ments, and this was granted.
Mostly Boys
The Americans were brought M
on the crest of hill, when the Car.
ranzistas marched past. A bearded
American soldier, father Of family,
who watched them, said today:
81 am sure that half Of that Con.
mand was composed Of boys. Some
OF them appeared not more tAa1 u
or Ia years Of age" ~
"It was by such troops; that we
were told he had been thfoate0sd.
These boys would not stand o1o
chance in a thousand asainst our ex-
CONTINUES O paSs 1Vo5