Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-13
u. S. WILL NOT HEED
REQUEST TO WITHDRAW
H-..,.., I,;,,.t Door
[Continued From First Pagc.I

tions Moreover, it was said military
prudence would necessitate holding
the advance columns close to support
ing forces until the attitude OF the
Mexican troops about them was deli
nitcly known.
War Department Prepared
1t was also increasingly evident to-
day that the War Department has en-
deavored to provide against poSstbili-
ties although strictest secrecy has
been Observed. 1t is understood that
in every movement of troops beyond
the border and along the international
line, the possibility of an attempt to
cut Off the expedition has been con-
sidered and the War Department IS
prepared to back up the forces should
need arise.
Some officials privately expressed
the view that General Carranza might
have felt compelled to propose tn 4
Withdrawal of troops in Difference -
public sentiment in Mexico. 1t was
pointed out that his note proposed only
opening of negotiations to that end.
In official quarters a. was stated that
The American troops will not he with
drawn, at this time at least, and that
while the question is being discussed
with General Carranza the pursuit of
the Villa bandits will be rushed with
renewed vigor.
Secretary Baker, of the War Depart
ment, said he was unable to comment
upon General Carranza' S note because
it raised questions of administrative
policy entirely within the jurisdiction
of the President and the State Depart
ment.
Contend Object Accomplished
Although General Carranza raised
side issues administration officials at
their first view of the communication
| regarded the principal contention as
! being that the object of the punitive
expedition has been accomplished SO
! far as it can be, and that the Villa
oands have been dispersed.
War Department officials take the
/ view that they have no evidence that
! the Villa bands have been dispersed
/ because they never had definite in
| formation OF their number and that
! the very nature of the situation gives
no evidence that the raiders have been
/ eXterminaLed.
Some State Department officials con-
fessed that General Carranza $ note
was not a surprise.
/ Counselor Polk confirmed the state
ment in the note that when he asked
for use of the Mexican railways the
reply was satisfactory" but was
coupled with an expression of surprise
that the United States had not awaited
final approval of the pending protocol
before sending troops across the
border.
! First Formal Protest
1t was declared, officially, however,
that no formal protest against the
entry of General Pershings columns
had been previously made by General
Carranza. When the advance troops
crossed at Columbus. it was officially
stated, Carranza general met, them
at the border and made no protest
either personally or on behalf OF his
government.
state Department officials took the
view that General CarranXas 5 note was
not Il demand for immediate with
drawal of the forces, but an invitation
to oegln negotiations TO limit their
stay.
Counselor Polk conferred with
Major General Scott, chief of staff, and
announced that the negotiations would
be handled exclusively by Secretary
Lansing.
The dispatch of the punitive CXpc-
dition before negotiation of the pro-
tocol was characterized by State De-
partment officials as perfectly iusti-
fled" by the correspondence between
Secretary Lansing and the Carranza
government.