Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-17
ALL QUIET ALONG
BORDER OF MEXICO
Movement of Troops Across Line
Not Marked by Serious Disturb
ance of Any Kind.
CENSORSHIP IS AN EXPERIMENT

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, March 16.-
Brigadier General Pershing's start
into Mexico without opposition from
Mexican forces, and apparently with
out serious disturbance resulting
along the border, was the big topic of
conversation today at Fort Sam
Houston, headquarters of Major Gen.
oral Frederick Funston.
Ever since he began planning the ex-
peditionary movement General Funston
has paid close attention to the attitude
of General Carranza and his followers
When General Pershing wired yesterday
that he had crossed the border and had
been Joined by the Carranza forces sta
toned at Palomas. the major general
evinced great satisfaction. This was
heightened today when early reports in
dicated that the only violence along the
entire border occurred near Kingsville.
Tex, where a small detachment OF troops
guarding the Barredo bridge on the st.
Louis. Brownsville Mexico railway
was fired on in the dark about mid
night.
Only Five shots Fired.
First stories of this affair were that
at least 100 shots were exchanged before
the attackers. said to be Mexican bandits.
retired. 1t was later announced from Fort
Brown at Brownsville that not more than
five shots were fired none taking effect.
For fear that another attack might fol-
low. reinforcement were sent from San
Benito sFEf
While the primary purpose Of the CEN
sorship ordered by General Funston was
to mistify Francisco Villa. 1t is known
that It also was in the nature of mil
itary experiment. partly to determine the
attitude of the American newspapers and
people toward such methods. That it met
no sort of objection and, I'm many cases
was freely endorsed by newspapers. was
a surprise to General Funston, who had
said when he announced the secrecy
plans:
IT suppose they viii haul me into court
for this"
Reason for Delay.
General Funston today voiced his sat
isfaction that after the public fully un-
derstood the situation. there had been no
expressions OF impatience at the fail
ure OF the expeditionary force to make
an early start.
1t was generally felt in army circles
that. in consuming only week in pre-
pairing for the search after villa and at
the same time for the defense of the
border. the southern division had done
fast work There was a shortage of roll
ling stock in many sections; there was no
large force available at any particular
point, supplies had to be transported and
mounts for the cavalry had TO be added
Pershing Reports Progress.
The first report from Brigadier Gen
eral Pershing, commanding the expedi-
tionary forces into Mexico. to Major Gen
ersl Funston. stating that all was going
well. was received at Fort Sam Houston
this morning.
The report dealt with the strength OF
General PershinE's command. the dis
position OF the various units and the Of
ficers. the distance Of the first days
march and the movements of the Car
rama troops.
All these matters come under the cen
sorship. however. and were not given out.
CarranER Garrison Leaves NacO.
NOGALES. Ariz.. March l6.-Tranquil-
lity prevailed on both sides OF the Mex
ican border IN this section today. The
first crisis of excitement among the
Mexicans at news OF the American march
has passed here. Nogales was heavily
pstrolled all night by American troops.
Fifty men Of the Carranza garrison
remained today in the Mexican town of
Nogales The others. several hundred.
have been withdrawn south over night
They were reported en- route eastward
along the American border headed for
Naco. the Mexican side of the Arizona
town Of that name.
American train crews have refused to
make their runs between Nogales and
Hermosillo. Mexico. and Mexican crews
have replaced them.