The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-10-27

Bakers warning. it was admitted that
the information received does not give
any clear indication Of either the time
or place of the proposed attack. Mi
Baker, it was suggested, probably act
ed on the theory that publication OF
the fact that the American military
commanders had been warned might
serve 10 prevent ii altogether.
The war secretary is known to have
received the information on which he
based his statement today on his re-
turn from Il campaign trip that has
kept him out OF the city several days
He conferred during the day with
Secretary Lansing and other state
department officials, Attorney General
Gregory. and held long conferences
with General Scott and other officers
OF the war department.
Intimations Of Attack.
For some days vague limitations
that an attack of some sort along the
border might be in prospect have been
reaching the state department. Up to
today these have been SO indefinite
it is understood, that officials were
not inclined 10 treat them seriously
There were no clues on which to
start an investigation.
1t has been known for some time
also, that Villa, or whoever the bandit
chieftain may be who is operating
against Carranza garrisonS under that
name, has a considerable supply, both
of silver money and ammunitions
smuggled over the border from the
United States. The TeferenCenin Sec,
Rotary Bakers statement to the fact
that Mexican bandits are known to
have been paid recently in silver is
thought TO have been founded upon
those reports.
l. A report brought to the border TO-
day by Americans arriving from Mexi
CO, said the bandits were close to Gen
eral Pershing's advance posts, and had
demanded the retirement toward the
border and eventual withdrawal Of the
American troops, under penalty Of at
tack No confirmation was received
! by the War Department up TO a late
hour.
The nature Of the warnings report
ed sent TO General Funston and Gen
era Pershing were not disclosed. II
is assumed here that the War Depart
mpnt relies wholly on the discretion
of the officers to safeguard their com
mandS and the border towns and ham
lets from attack. a more optimistic
view of the situation in northern Chi
huahua was taken to-day as the result
Of reports that the CarranZa garrison
at Chihuahua City had been reinforced
/ by 5000 men, and that a formidable
campaign against the bandits was
about to be launched.
Arredondo Heard Of Plot.
EGSeo Arredondo, Mexican alnbaS
| sador-designate, when shown ScCreta
~ Bakers statement, said he had heard
-hnn hr
Mexico two weeks ago that a border
both sides of the border was being
worked out. He said he had prompt
| " informed General Carranza, who tel
egraphed in reply that troop move
ments to prevent such an occurrence
had been ordered.
II understood" Mr.. Arredondo add
ed, that the border attack was plan
ned with the purpose primarily OF i'm
pediug negotiations Of the information
: al commissioners, and also presumabl!
TO produce some effect in the coming
presidential elections both in the Uni
ed State and in Mexico. ! cannot con
denim too strongly the activity of thsSe
common enemies Of both countries
Now that the plans are known. | thinE
| they will react directly against The
purposes of the plotters."
Mr.. ArredundU gave the impression
! that he had had no recent reports az
10 the plot.
| Army officers have been incliEnd &C
| doubt vague reports that the bandits
| might attack Pershings forces. They
! believe that the Mexican outlaws
would not willingly chance ciash
with the troops OF the American expo
dition. particularly as the American
fed horses which would BE- certain &c
overtake the battered mounts of the
raiders il 4 pursuit was ordered as il
certainly would be.
The Importance Of the f;.cl that ;;It
bandits are said 10 have been paid "a,
Gently i'll silver rests on lhc fact that
heretofore even CarranZa soldiers nave
been paid in paper money, their ualy
pay being the equivalent of about fuu.
cents American gold. Only the most
Fortunate families in Mexico. it has
been reported have been able to pay
for their supplies with silver coin and
if the bandits are now being paid in
metal, it will seem lik" wealth fu;
them, for which they might he willing
10 take any risk.
Leaving Mexico.
Further reports Of The exodus nf
Mexican families from Mexico to The
United States came today to the
State Department. one despatch say
ing that members Of til" CarranHa.
Oregon. TrevinO. Tlurrla and Madcru
CIV \