Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-31
WITHDRAWAL URGED
BY ARMY OFFICERS
Think Altered Conditions Make
1t Imperative to Bring Men
Now in Mexico to Border.
VILLA GAINING STRENGTH
Situation Reaches Stage of I'm
certainty That Causes Growing
Concern in Washington.
VILLA GAINING STRENGTH
IRy Associated Press. !

iBH Associated Press
WASHINGTON, December 3O-In-
creasing evidence that General Car
ranHa's government is being menaces
ny bands of insurgents. coupled with
the prospect that the first chief will
not accept the Atlantic City protocol
unless the condition il attaches 10
withdrawal OF the American troops is
eliminated has brought the Mexican
situation TO stage OF uncertainty
that is causing growing concern here.
While officials admit that the condi-
ions they confront are embarrassing
and some high army officers are urging
that Pershing's men be withdrawn as a
military step and regardless Of condi-
tions. 1t Is insisted that SO far there
has been no change In the administra-
tion policy. The American members or
the joint commission which drew the
Atlantic City protocol will meet here
ON Iuesday to go over General Car
ranza's request for modification and to
consider whether any basis is offered
Tor further conferences with the Mex
lean commissioners. Charles a. Doug
las. an attorney for the Carranza gov
ernment. saw Counselor Polk of the
state Department. to-day, and is un-
derstood to have made a further plea
for withdrawal Of the troops.
COULD he HANDLED
TO BETTER ADVANTAGE
Several army officers OF high rank
are no longer attempting TO conceal
their impatience over the joint COM
missions failure 10 secure ratification
OF an agreement, and openly are urging
that the altered conditions in Mexico
make II imperative to bring the 1000
men now in Mexico TO positions on the
border, where they could be handled 10
better advantage IL Il becomes neces-
sary.
Reports to the State and War De-
partinents to-day supported unofficial
advices indicating that Villa is rapidly
gaining strength in Northern Mexico
mat make his suppression by the Car
ranza army appear doubtful. Al the
same time. followers or Felix Diaz are
said 10 be making trouble in the south.
while Manuel Palaez and other rebel
leaders are gaining ground 81 the CEN
tral portions OF the republic.
The official advices Indicated that the
Carranza forces in Saltillo two days
ago were anticipating an attack by
villa forces. The Governor OF the
state had directed that the govern
and many prominent civilians and Of
fciais had sent :heir families 10 the
border. Successes OF the Villa forces
about Torreon were confirmed by rhe
adrices.
villas operations in the past few
weeks have convinced army men here
that he and other leaders OF the re-
dictionary movement are following a
plan OF campaign having for its i'm
mdiate object the recruiting Of an
army and the collection OF equipment,
rather than the occupation of territory
IL Is pointed out that Villa has entered
towns OF Importance in Northern Mex
leo eight times since he resumed op-
erations on a larger scale only to sur
render them again without struggle
The net result has been to add 10 his
lighting strength materially.
VILLA REPORTED AGAIN
ON WAY TO CHIHUAHUA
Unofficial reports to-day that the
bandit leader was on his way 10 Chi
huahua aaain caused no surprise here
since il is known that General
Murguias force there is not well sup
piled with ammunition. and many
stories of disaffection in his army have
reached government agents on the
border. II is expected that Villa will
make every effort to dispose o: The
Murguia force before the arrival OF
General obregon. reported on his way
to Chihuahua to take command.
In a considerable area near TuXpan,
Manuel Palaez who has been in controi
there for almost two wears, has re
Gently extended his operations toward
the south without opposition. Moving
northward, apparently with the inten-
tion Of joining him, is Jose Isabel
Robes. with force estimated AZ from
1000 TO 5000. IL juncture is af-
fected. il would make possible the
isolation OF the Carranza capital from
both Tampico and Vera Cruz In CO.
operation with them the Cedillo
brothers appear to be operating along
the railroad connecting San Luis Po-
tosi and Tampico.