Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-21
Officials Watch for Attitude
of Head of De Facto
Government.
NO WORD RECEIVED
Not Known How American
Message Is Received at
Mexican Capital

Mexico City telegraphed the
state department today that
the American note had
reached there and was being
considered by General Car
rama and his cabinet. He
made no mention of how it
was received.
Eagle Pass, Texas, June 81
General Murgia- a CarranZa COM
mander, arrived at Piedras Ne
gras, the Mexican town opposite
here today with a detachment of
1000 Yaquis, reinforcing the gar.
rison there. A large part Of the
civilian population of Piedras Ne
gras has already moved south
Washington, June 81. = Strong
pressure is being brought to bear
upon General Carranza by repre-
sentatives of European powers to
prevent him from forcing a break
with the United States. Indirect
reports reaching the state depart
ment today told of these efforts
and said there was possibility
they would be successful
The United States today anxiously
awaited word from Mexico City re-
garding General Carranza's attitude
toward the American note.
High officials here admitted private
ly they look for war, although avoid
ing any formal expressions indicating
forerunners Of declaration of war.
The only answer required from Car
rama is action suppressing outlaw
treatment of Americans. The official
text may already be in Carranza's
hands.
The war department was getting
ready today to act on Gen aral Funs-
tons request for immediate dispatch
of number of national guard units to
the border. Secretary Baker and Pres
ident Wilson probably will determine
what organizations should be sent
Several days may elapse before any
great number of militia units can be
mustered into the federal service.
Ready for Emergency.
In case Mexicans attack the Ameri-
can column a general rapid advance
probably would be ordered from the
border to line perhaps 100 or more
miles south of the border. This line
then would be fortified and held unit
volunteer reinforcements become
available. Thus fighting would be
thrown into the enemy's' territory ant
the border protected against further
bandit attacks by thorough policing o.
the country behind the main line.
Five Americans Hiding.
Ell Paso, Tex, June 21-Five Ameri
cans are hiding in the mountains neal
Parral in southern Chihuahua, fearin,
to attempt to make their way to thu
border, because of the feeling of tn,
natives, according to reports reaching
here today. The men, employees of tn,
Alvarado Mining and Milling compan,
of Parral, recently started toward f
Paso but we're obliged to seek refug,
in the hill country. In the party ar,
T. G. Hawkins, Jr., A. W. Morris, R c
Higley, H. A. Buick and H. ". Col
Inns. Company officials here expressed
no great fear for their safety, assert
ing that Mexican friends could be de
pended upon to afford them protection
With the exception of these FIVE, tn
exodus of Americans from Chihuahu;
was practically complete today, wit
the arrival of the eight remainin
members OF the colony in Chihuahu
City. All of them told of food shortag
and increasing anti-American sent
ment.
Ell Paso people having heavy hold
ings in Mexico were interested in dis
patches from Mexico City which sal
in substance that a decree had bee
! issued by the de facto government
holding that any foreigner acquirin
i real estate in Mexico, either by pul
chase or contract, must renounce frs
his allegiance TO his native country an
register himself as a Mexican either
1t further ordered that any perso
| seeking TO transfer his property to
| foreigner must obtain permission froI
the proper authorities.
Border Sentiment Taut.
| Border sentiment at times during th
! day seemed taut, almost TO the snaI
ping point and at others lapsing into
patient wait for news of Carranza
reception OF the American note. PEI
sistent rumors were thick again IN I
Paso that scouting patrols of Genera
Pershing's expeditionary command ha
been attacked south OF Namiquipa b
Carranzista forces but General Geore
Bell. Jr., commanding the military di.
trict, said his dispatches did not su,
mort fhaSa rnunro