Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-22
MEN|CANS HAVE LINE ON EACH SIDE OF ARMY
No Worry on Score That Regulars Will Be Able to Resist Any
Attacks That May Be Made. But There Is Talk That First
Hint of Clash Will Result In National Guards Being Called
Out to Patrol Border-Latest Bluff Will Not Chance Policy.

FL Paso, Tex, June 19.--Carranza
having thrown down the gauntlet to the
United States in his advices to General
Pershing hat any troop movement
east, west or south would be regarded
as a hostile act, every preparation was
being made along the border today for
eVentualities.
Officers and soldiers of the American
garrison here We're kept closely to their
quarters. Street a service to Juarez
was at n standstill and efforts were
made by United States customs Off
cross the river.
Tension was noticeable on h Mexi-
can side where numbers of civilians
were arming themselves. Reports from
authentic sources indicated that re-
cruiting for the army was being pushed
in all the larger cities in northern
Mexico. There We're no indications Of
"untoward developments" in this vicin-
lty during the night.
Washington. June 19.-General Fun
ston advised the war department today
that he was informed by General Bell
at 81 Paso, that General Pershing had
been warned by General Trevino. the
Carranza commander at Chihuahua,
lIldl any IIloNeItlSllI VI lHS u ivan
expedition to the south. west or east
would be a signal for an attack by the
Mexican forces.
General Trevino acted upon specific
Instructions from Genera Carranza.
There were no indications here that
the administrations determination to
continue the campaign against bandits
I'm Mexico would In any way be altered
by General T%revino's threat to begin
hostilities if American troops move
from their present positions in n d.
rection except toward the border.
Pershing's Orders Broad.
General Persing's orders authorize
him to move in any direction he finds
necessary to his purposes. in the alb
sence of Secretary Baker, who is In st.
Louis. no official would predict whether
the United States orders would be
changed.
Recent troop movements in Chihua-
hua state have led officials here to fear
hat the de facto commanders were
preparing for some hostile move.
Mexican Lines Menacins.
The Mexican forces are now distri-
outed in detachments of considerable
strength on two lines converging from
points near the border east and west
IF Genera Pershing's line and meeting
at a point south Of his field base at
Namiquipa. The effect has been to en-
close the American troops in a gigan-
lis V.
This disposition of Carranza forces
has been one OF the bases Of suspicion
here as to friendly intention. While
the MeXicanS are so posted officials de-
clare they cannot be in good faith con-
Quoting any campaign against bandits
but they IA keep close watch upon
The movement of General Pershing's
men. The breaking UP of these forces
into small parties to scour the coun-
Try for outlaws is one OF the conditions
which would be demanded by the
United States before the American ex-
pedition would be recalled.
No Fear for Pershing Army.
Army officers have no fears for the
safety Of General Pershing's forces nj
matter what develops. The expedition
Is amply supplied and General PERISH
Ing recently inspected in person the
disposition of his troops. The strate-
glc points at the base camps and along
he line of communication are pro-
tected by entertainments.
A report of General Trevino's action
gave rise to renewed speculations as tic
the course to be taken by President
Wilson to make certain the safety OF
he border. h entire national guard
n effect has been under waiting orders
.or several weeks and some officials
thought 1t possible a strong force OF
suardsmen will be promptly ordered tc
The border if official dispatches on
firmed the Chihuahua story.
Ell Paso, Tex, June 17.-Dispatches
from Chihuahua City that General Ire.
vino had notified General Pershing tina,
my movement of his command Other
than in a northerly direction would be
construed as a hostile act aroused ne
apprehension among army officers here
1t was asserted that the expeditionar,
command is amply prepared to care
for itself in any e~ventuality.
A compact line of communication ex.
tending from the border at Columbus
n. M, to Namiquipa, about 2S0 mile.
south, has been draw in the last foul
weeks. Huge quantities Of food, for.
age, ammunition and other supple.
have been concentrated at the field
headquarters at Naniquipa and at tn,
field bases at FL Vale and Colonia Dub
Ian. 1t was pointed out also that. be.
You'd occasional sorties after maraud
ing bands, the American troops in Mex.
leo have been inactive for severa
weeks.
No word has come so far from Gen.
aral Pershing himself. General Perish.
ing is ready to deal with any force tina
nrnonrrn nraru Ar