New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-16
Washington Relieved by
Funston Message Telling
ofMexlcan Cooperation.
OFFICIALS EXPECT
LONG CAMPAIGN
Senate Quickly Passes Bill TO
Add 10000 Men to the
Regular Army.
From Ths Trbuns Bureau

From Ths rnbuns Bureau
Washington, March ia cipher
message from General Funston tonight
confirmed the new. Of the crossing OF
American troops into Mexico and the
co-operation of Carranza forces. Sec
retary OF War Baker received the mes
sage about o'clock, and as soon as u
Was decided took it TO the White
House.
After a short conference with Presi-
dent Wilson. the Secretary issued the
following statement:
"The Department received tonight
in code. message from General runs
ton which announces that American
troops crossed the border into Mexico
to-day. but does not give the hour oil
tho crossing. am very happy TO say
that the dispatch shows that the MIL
tary representative Of the de 1ac'o
Government Of Mexico not only inter
nossd no obstacle, but appears 20 Dc
cooperating
When this statement had been issueu
the censorship lid was clamped down
tight. Secretary Baker refused 70 Aou
a work to his formal announcement lie
would not say where the forces crossed
the border, what their strength was or
who commanded them. The name o.
tho Representative OF the de fscto gov
eminent was not given in Generai
Funston, dispatch, he said
Tension Is Relieved.
Administration officials heard the
news with relief. For several days the
tension Of the diplomatic situation has
steadily increased, owing to the tear
that unless the army soon got under
way the United States would lose pres
tige and the apprehension aroused IN
Mexico by the reports Of extensive
nrenarations develop into open revolt
against Carranza's conciliatory att
tude.
There is a tense interest now in the
movements Of the American column.
Extra editions of the local papers were
bought and read eagerly by ofhcisls IN
all circles up to late hour tonight
Tho "invasion" is the sole topic of in
.eres. wherever officials and diplomats
gather.
The general belief. founded on re
rorts from General Funston, that the
campaign will be long one, even IN
the most favorable conditions, and the
growing doubt Of its ultimate success
are causing much uneasiness in Ad-
ministration quarters. 1t is reailzed
that the troops cannot be Withdrawn
hofore Villa il taken without making
fasco of the whole affair A. the
came time some army othcers are OF
the opinion that Villa Will never De
The troops that the United States
can send alter Villa will operate over
q vast territory. fer from their base OF
sunplies. and will be at decided as
advantage in comparison WIN VITA ana
his men. At most, army oincers esV-
mate. only 10000 men can be sent INTO
Mexico, and all these not for several
months.
War Strength Bill Passes Senate.
The Senate to-day passed unanimous
IL the Joint resolution which went
through the House yesterday, providing
for 10000 men 10 bring the mobile
army in continental United States up
to war strength.
Recruiting Offices which have been
closed for months have been reopened
bv order OF the Adjutant General, ana
il is expected there will be 10 diihculiy
in obtaining the men.
Recruiting has been going on, II Is
said. al the rate Of nearly 10000
wear for some time, with only third
Of the Offices open. With new Offices
onened and incentive offered by pros
poets of actual field service, 1t is be
iieved the 10000 men can be enrolled
in few weeks.
Throughout the day the War Depart
ment maintained rigid silence as 70 the
situation on the border General Fun
ston was moving his pieces IN the grim
game with Villa behind a curtain OF
complete secrecy. II probably was the
most complete censorship the country
has ever known. The screen was drawn
so close that the department itsel was
not advised Of the crossing until hours
after the troops were on the march.
| The only dispatch as 70 the border