The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-15
Congress Takes Steps To An
swer Numerous Demands
For Protection Along Border
RECRUITING WILL BE
VIGOROUSLY PRESSED
Unoficially Rumorcd Carranza
Will Ask Fortnight In Which
To Take Villa Without AS
sistance From United States

Washington, March f4.--fn
preparation for n lengthy CAM
paign In Mexico, the administra-
ton today took steps 10 place
the United States army on full
war footing.
A resolution urged by President
Wilson and Secretary Of War
Baker, adding t9.e47 men to the
army, was put through the House
with but one dissenting vote.
The new troops will he used to
replace those taken from the
border forces tn go afker Villa,
and to MI out all mobile troops at
interior points to war strength.
Anticipating favorable action by
the senate when the resolution
comes mp tomorrow. The War
Department tonight sent teie-
graphic instructions 10 recruiting
officers 10 proceed vigorously with
enlisfments.
The House resolution. which was In
froduced hv Chairman Hay. of the
Military Committee after a conference
with Secretary Baker. provides for
the recruiting OF approximately $4,000
infantry a900 cavalry, and 1 j. 90
fseid artillery This will increase this
army strength to $4,000 men, ex-
elusive OF the auartermaster and hos
pital corps.
Oti.cr warilkc Resolutions.
Two other resolutions bearing OF
the Mexican situation were intro
duced FIJI Congress
one OF these ny REPRESENTATIVE
Rritter,. Of Illinois, would authorize the
recall OF troops now in the Phillip'
mines for service in Mexico. The other,
by Representative Cary. of Wisconsin
would authorize the Communicating
of al arms and munitions Of war IN
this country.
While preparations for the Funston
expedition into Mexico were continued
bs the War Department today. the
state Department was advised thai
Americans In interior Mexico were
leaving for the border and sespor'
towns through fear OF anti-American
ADMINISTRATIONS wrTpu trIa TROUPE 20
In.
Note Satisfactory to Carranha.
The State Department was adj
vised by Consul siliinan mt
Qucresaro that he had delivered
the reply al the American govern
neut 10 the Carrana border
agreement note To the Mexican
Foreign Minister, and that tho
latter accepted IL rs satisfactory.
Unofficial adSiccs reached the
department. that the Carranza
government is preparing Ia ASK
the limited States To delay the
Funston expedition for two weeks
TO give Carranxa n chance tn cap
ture villa. This request had not
bcen officially communicated to
the department, but II was de-
fnttcly indicated that IL would
he rejected.
tile action Of the House In RUSHING
through the Hay resolution was ac'
repted as the best proof that Ton
eress Is solidlv behind the Presiden'
n any steps he may find necessary
70 end the Mexican trouble.
y Under the present law the President
can fill up the regiments only to q
strength of 100000 men. The addi'
tional 1921 men authorized by tne
resolution today will go exclusively &c
filling up the ranks in continental
United States. as the Philippines
Hawaiian and Porto Rican regiments
already are recruited to war strength
Hay Explains Situation.
Presenting the bill to the Hohse
chairman Hay explained that the addi'
tionaI troops were requested by tins
administration to fill up the gaps u
the organizations on patrol duty OF
the Mexican border. which have beer
depleted to furnish the expeditionarA
force ordered into TO Mexico to ge
Villa The resolution will go to TN
Senate tomorrow. As passed by th'
House the resolution reads:
'.RespHed. BY the Senate and th'
House of Representatives in Congress
assembled.
.sThat when in the Judgment OF tn,
President an emergency arises which
make 1t necessary all organization
81 the army which are now below thu
M ximum enlisted strength authorized
by law shall be raised forth witt
10 that strength, and shall be main
tanned as nearly as possible thereat ~
I. long as the emergency shall aon'
tinue:
.Proyided, that the total enlisted
strength OF any Of said arms OF thu
service shall not include unassigned
recruits therefore at depots or else
where. but such recruits shall at nj
time exceed by more than s per cen
tun the total enlisted strength pre-
scribed for such arms; and the en-
lissad men now or hereafter author
lied by law for other branches Of thu
military service shall be provided ant
maintained without any irlpairmen
q on the enlisted strength prescribed 70
i any OF sad arms.
= ARRANGEMENTS for the passage o