The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-04-13
Baker and Lansing Both Refuse
to Discuss Report That Villa
Pursuit May End at
Certain Point.
WANT ARMY TO WITHDRAW
Carranza Officials Inquire Wher
U. s. Forces Will Retire
Formal Request Is Ex-
pected by Washington.

Washington, D. c.. April 11.-Secre-
tary Lansing and Secretary Baker both
declined to comment today on border
reports that an agreement between
Washington and the Carranza govern
ment had fixed "deadlihe" beyond
which the American troops would not
go in their pursuit OF the Villa bandits.
Secretary Baker declared in answer
to questions that such an agreement
would come under the pending pro-
tocor ana a subject not under the war
departments Jurisdiction.
The proposed protocol Of which little
is known, still is under discussion at
General Carranza's provisional capital
at Queretaro. Special Agent Rodgers
left the provisional capital for Mexico
City last week, but expects to return
soon.
Mass Behind Pershina?
At both the state and war depart
ments it was said nothing was known
of reports OF massing of Carranza
troops on General Pershings rear.
state department dispatches located
Villa heading toward Parral.
Secretary Baker plans to leave to-
night for a brief visit TO his home at
Cleveland. He intends to return
Wednesday.
State department dispatches today
indicate that officials Of the Mexican
de facto government are viewing with
some anxiety the continued presence Of
American troops in Mexico. One dis
patch authoritatively was described as
containing a hint that certain Mexican
officials believed the purpose Of the
American punitive expedition had been
accomplished. This belief was said ia
be based upon the assumption that the
bandits under Villa have been dis
persed.
Make Direct Inquiry.
Consul General Rodgers, It waI
learned today, has advised the depart
ment that the de facto government Of
ficials at Queretaro had intimated to
him they would like to know how lone
the United States intended to keep the
troops in Mexico. Administration Of
ticials in position to be familiar with
the Mexican situation said the de factd
government had not set a date upon
which they thought the American
troops should be withdraw. 1t was adj
mitted in various quarters, however,
that such action Of the de facto govern
ment would not be surprising.
Overnight dispatches from General
Funston to the war department made
public by Secretary Baker today were
summarized in the following state
ment:
THE latest dispatches from General
Pershing, dated April g. explains infre-
uuency of information by saying that
the wireless has not been able to work
and aeroplane communication has been
difficult because of lack of suitable
landing places.
AeropIanes Smashed.
The dispatch again confirms the
Il ~, AlW
wounded in the right knee.
General Pershing reports that he
has had a very satisfactory conference
with General Herrera and expects to-
day to meet General Gutierrez to whom
he sent messages by aeroplane to Chi
huahua and received back replies Of
fering full cooperation. General Per-
shing's comment is that every indi-
cation shows the desire of the troops
Of the defacto government to aid to the
extent Of their ability.
General Pershing further reports
that one areoplane was disabled in
landing, April 6, leaving only five out
Of the original eight that are now in
serviceable condition, but 1t is evident
that the areoplanes in use are per-
forming valuable If not indispensable
service and great reliance Is placed
upon them"
Secretary Baker received word today
that the railroad situation in Mexico,
was much improved and that supplies
in increasing quantities were going
forward to the American troops in
Mexico. He informed the president
that all reports from the border indi-
Gated the Carranza forces were opper-
ating in the pursuit of Villa.
Denial by Garcia.
Ell Paso, April 10.--A statement at
tributed to Mexican Consul Garcia that
Villa has now escaped any possibility
Of capture by the Americans, having
crossed q dead line established by
President Wilson and CarranZa be-
yond which 1t was agreed that the
American troops would not continue
their pursuit for the bandit, was fatty
denied by Mr.. Garcia. The Mexican
consul said as far as he knew no limit
Of the American pursuit had been
agreed upon between the two govern
mentS.
Mexican officials here will not dis
cuss report that the defacto govern
ment will soon inform the American
government that it is in a position to
relieve the American troops Of the task
Of chasing Villa. Mr. Garcia said he
had no information on matters of a