The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1916-03-30
PRESIDENT WARNS
AGAINST RUM0RS
Formal Statement Issued to
Reiterate That Mexico is
Not Being Invaded.

Washington n.--Presiden Wilson is
sued warning that sinister and un.
Bcrupulous influences" are spreading
alarmist reports about the Mexican
situation with the object of forcing
intervention by the United States "in
the interests OF certain American own
ers Of Mexican properties"
In a formal statement the president
told the people of the United States to
be on guard and not to credit such
stories. lie urged those who dlssem-
mate news TO test the source and au-
thenticity Of every report from the
border, and called attention again to
the governments announcement that
the sole object OF the punitive expedi.
ton now in Mexico was to punish villa
and his followers.
The news services supplying news
papers had been asked. the president
said, to assist in keeping this view
constantly before the Mexican and the
American people, TO the end that the
expedition should not take on the color
OF war.
The purpose OF the American com.
manders was described as embracing
cooperation 'Tin every possible way"
with the forces OF General Carranza,
and withdrawal from Mexican terri.
tory as soon as the object Of the ex-
pedition is accomplished.
The president solemnly warned the
people that there are persons all
along the border who are actively en-.
gagged in originating and giving as
wide currency as they can to rumors
OF the most sensational and disturb.
ing sort which are wholly unjustlfied
by the facts"
Official Data Awaited on Sussex Case.
Official information on which Presi.
dent Wilson will decide whether the
sinking OF the Englishman and the
damaging by an explosion OF the chan.
mel steamer Sussex we're the result OF
acts in violation OF international law
Ia being gathered from every available
source by consular representatives OF
the United States in England and in
France.
Information regarding the Sussex.
which had been received. did not. high
officials said. convince them that the
vessel was the victim OF submarine
attack.
Should either the Sussex or the Eng.
lishman have been torpedoed the Unit.
ed States would consider the act 20
be a most fragrant violation OF the
rights OF humanity. the principles OF
international law and the broad assur-
anoes regarding the conduct OF sub
marine warfare which have been given
by the German government. There Is
no evidence. or even a suggestion. that
either OF the ships was armed. 80 no
defense could be offered on that score.
Hay Army Measure Passes House.
The Hay army reorganization bill
was passed by the house by vote OF
4O2 to 2. The vote placed the house
on record for increased national de-
fense.
AS II was passed by the house the
Hay bill provided:
A regular army OF 100000 men. an
increase OF 10000 over the present au.
thorized strength. A federalized mill.
tia OF 100000 men under the control |
OF the federal government. A system
Of reserves, recruited from retiring |
OF both the regular army and |
the militia. A reserve officers corps |
Of $4,000 recruited from graduates OF
schools under federal super,
vision. Federal Jay for officers and
men OF the national guard.
Authority for the president and sec
retary of war TO make plans for the
OF the industrial re-
sources OF the country is provided for.