The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-24
being snmtamesss % . r~eexnttsen
of state of gar.

Of state of war.
Accompanying this action orders
went forward from the war depart
stent directing all national guard or
CanisatiouS TO proceed Immediately I'd
the Mexican border as soon as they
are ready TO move.
There was growing demand in off,
ctal and congregational quarters thai
: the President should drop halfway
( measures and Immediately take steps
to issue a call for at least a quarter
Of a million volunteers.
Preparing for wnr.
/ Preparations for war with Mexico
went forward swiftly after receipt of
an official report from General PERISH
ing showing that the American cavalry
troops were led into ambush at Car
rial by the Carranza General Gomez
The orders to militia organizations
said they were TO leave when reason
+ bly, ready and without delaying I'M
til srigaded, Accompanying the or
ders to diplomatic commanders. the
following telegram was sent to mus
terine officers at each state mohiliza-
tiou camp.
The Secretary of War has ordered
department commanders 40 send 20
points designated by General Funston
each regiment separate battalion OF
other separate organization The mo-
mont ~ Is reported by you as reason
ably ready for service.
Organizations must not delay de-
parture on account of shortage In field
transportation as this viii he sent 10
designated points
War department officials said thu
first militia organizations VIII he ready
to entrafn FOR the border within TWEEN.
ty-four hours The bulk Of the troops
will not leave. however, until early
next week.
J., is the war departments plan 10
give the militia n seasoning period on
tho border before they are sent into
Mexico. The $4,000 regulars and
militia on the border the latter sea-
soued b. their border patrol work,
viii be the first troops sent into Mexi-
90 20 reinforce the cxpeditionary army
ofieials admitted that General
Pershings report on the amhushing II
American cavalrymen Mt CarrizA
prompted todays troop orders
General Pershing's report showed
that Captain Charles 7. Boyd, com
handing the American cavalry column
stopped for conference with Gener Il
Gomez. the Mexican commander, AZ
ter being refused permission to go
through Carrizat while the confer
ence was in progress the Mexican
troops attempted to surround the
American cavalrymen. who were In a
-tr.a p whom the Mextean began Airing
Nhen General Gomez rejoined them.
There was no reference In the Perish
Ing report TO the American prisoners
captured by the Mexican forces The
troopers who brought the news TO
rershing fought their way out of the
Mexican trap and did not know the
fate Of their comrades.
Secretary of state Lansing said to-
day the State department had taken
no action toward obtaining the re-
lease of the American prisoners, He
MAS unwilling TO act on the informa-
tiou contained In the official note from
the Mexican government. and Is await
ing direct word from General Perish
ing
would Place Blame First.
Secretary Lansing said 1t was i'm
Portant the State department should
know who was to blame for the attack
on the American cavalry at Carrtzai.
II WAS important to learn whether the
Mexican general was acting under or
ders from General CaFranza. he said,
or on his own initiative, II the Car
ranza commander attacked without or
ders IL was indicated the State d.
partment might demand that Carran-
"a first release the prisoners and then
denounce the act and punish the of
Tending commander,
Army officers. who have been Arm
from tho first FOR determined action in
Mexico, took the position that to set
tic the CarriZaI ambush on the same
basis as the submarine disputes. by
"disaVowals and punishment Of com
manders" would amount to criminal
neglect of the American army in Mex
| leo. and invite continued insults from,
Mexican petty commanders.
| The State department has made in
/ quiries OF CarranZa to determine just
! how far he is supporting Trevino in
his war on the American forces, This
inquiry also will take in responsibility
! for the attack ON the American forces
at Carrizal and Mazatian,
| war department officials believe,
! however. that Carranza's action in pre-
cipita ting hostilities Will he follow ed
| by more serious clashes that Will com
pei settlement of the problem by force
and not by diplomacy.