Arizona republican., 1916-03-30
State Department Receives Permission to Use Mexico Northwestern Railroad for Moving Supplies and Probably Troops
SERVICE MUST
 BE PAID FOR
While Carranza Replies Promptly to Request to Use Line, Department Will Seek More Definite Understanding
tRepubIicans A. p. Leased Wire1

(Hepupltcant A. H. Lcd8eo WITeJ
 WASHINGTON, March 29-One of the arrny's most serious problems in hunting Villa was solved today when General Carranza granted the re- newed request of the state depart ment for permission to use the Mex ico Northwestern railroad.
 General Carranza received the re- quest this morning, and his answer was in Washington before dark. It was contained in a brief message from James l.. Rodgers, special agent of the United States at Queratero. that the railroads could be used for commercial purposes. It is assumed he would be equally prompt in noti- flying his officers on the border. and that General Funston might begin shipment tomorrow
 Although the army will proceed to use the railroad on commercial meaning that all service shall be paid for at regular rates. the state de- pertinent will negotiate further with Carranza to bring about a more com plete understanding as to just what he has agreed to- Today's response is regarded as being satisfactory in a measure. but it is not sufficiently definite. It may be. too. that in or der to assure the arrival and deiv- cry Of supplies shipped to points along- the line General Funston will desire to place guards on the trains. War department officials were
 f1,- xI,a <~S necessity for maintaining a motor truck supply line over desert roads for a distance of more than TOO miles, A cloudburst or great storm might render the roads impossible for q considerable space of time, cutting off the troops from their source of supply at the border.
 While the physical condition of the Mexico Northwestern is not good. many bridges having been destroyed during the years of revolution in Mexico army engineers should have little difficulty in keeping it open. Aside from the railroad problem. details of the protocol suggested by General Carranza remain to be worked, out. State department off, cials indicate, however, that there is no reason for haste in this connec- ton. As was the condition when American troops crossed into Mex | icO in pursuit of Geronimo. the 1 Apache outlaw. years ago. the formal | agreement may not be characterized
 until the expedition has accomplished it's purpose and returned. It will serve. however, as the legal basis for the adjustment of all claims arising cut of the use of American troops to pursue Villa.
 1 The order to General Funston was | dispatched late today. Under it the 1 general will make such use of the
 railroads as the Mexican authorities permit. pending further negotiations
 with General Carranza by the state department
 Secretary Baker issued this state
 ment at the war department tonight: We have directed General Fun
 ston to tender for railroad shipment
 cargoes of supplies, either directly te
 our military men or to civilians in 1 Mexico. This does not involve an,
 tender of munitions for such rail.
 road transportation. nor Goes it in-
 volve the use of American miIitar,
 guards on any Mexican train.
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