The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-20
mex PROBLEMS
OvERSHADOWED
BY RAIL CRUx
Much Needed in Supplying
Troops in Mexico.
But Grant Would Complex
Carranza's Position.
If DENIED, WHAT Then, ASKED
First Chief Has Not Replied to
Z. S. Request.
Diplomatic Force at Washing
ton Urging Matter.
IF DENIED, WHAT Then, ASKED
Diplomatic Force at Washing.
ton Urging Matter.

Ell Paso, March 20.-The railroad
problem overshadowed everything else
here in the Mexican situation today.
The reply of General CarranZa to the
request of the United States govern
ment for permission to use the rail-
roads was expected to be sent for
ward to Washington today. A refusal
will embarrass the operations of the
American troops while the granting of
the request would be bound to be
seriously misconstrued by consider
able section of the Mexican people and
to be exploited by the enemies of Gen
eral CarranZa.
The unexpectedly rapid advance of
the expenditionary columns under Cen
eral Pershing has forced the railroad
question to an issue. Americans ia
miliar with the country which the
columns are entering assert that it is
imperative that the railroads be
placed at their disposal, for the bring
ing up of supplies.
Railroads Handy.
1.-The American forces are reported
at Galeana." said DR.. l. J. Bush, form
erly chief surgeon of Maderos army.
Twenty miles south of there is FL
Vale and from that point the only
practicable way of bringing up sup
plies is by railroad. The valley con-
verges here into a narrow deep gorge
in which bout 1000 people live. The
territory in which Villa probably will
remain is embraced in an imaginary
line between Chihuahua and Minaca,
with the Mexican Central railroad on
one side and the Sierra Madre on the
other. His soldiers have the advant-
age over the Americans in that they
will travel light with only few days
provisions and are seasoned men well
able to stand the hardships of noun
tain campaigning in that climate"
DIR. Bush said he had no doubt Villa
was spreading stories of his wonderful
victories over the Americans of how
he had captured Texas and that Car
rama had gone over the United States.
1t would be easy. he said, for him to
make the ignorant poems among
whom he is operating believe the
widest stories. Another serious sit
uation has been caused by the action
of General Gales, military governor
of Sonora. in demanding that the La
Colorado Mining company of New
York reopen their mine at Hermosillo
at once.
Orders Mine Reopened.
General Gales has wired the New
York offices of the company that if
the mine is not reopened Immediately
he will take it over ana run it. The
property is said to be a rich gold mine
and formerly employed 1000 Mexi-
cans, according to General Gales
He declared today he had no inten-
ton of cOnfiscating the mine but that
the Mexicans were suffering through
being thrown out of employment and
he intende to put them back to work.
The governor said the La Colorado
company was the only one that had
suspended operations in Sonora and
there was no reason for its action as
he could and would give it ample pro-
lection.
Washington Much Concerned.
I'll
department did not receive a reply
from the request sent to Carranza for
the use of Mexican railroads in trans
porting supplies to the expeditionary
force.
In urging the use of Mexican rail-
roads for that purpose it has been
pointed out to the Carranza govern
ment that similar permission was
granted Carranza troops for the use of
railroads in the United States last
year.
Mr.. Polk declared today that the
/ United States had not requested per-
mission to take over any railroads in
Mexico, but had merely asked for per-
mission to transport supplies. He de-
MED emphatically reports that the re-
quest of the United States was in any
i sense a demand or an ultimatum.
/ Urged to Increase Villa Reward.
The administration realizes fully the
| ultuculty OIL General CarranZa s posi-
ton because of feeling in Mexico For
that reason every effort is being made
by the state department to dissent
nate in Mexico the information that
the United States has no motives OF
aggression IN sending troops across
the border. Following out the same
policy the American troops now ir
Mexico have been given instructions
to be careful in their dealings with
Mexicans generally
All acts which might be construed
as offensive to the Mexican population
are to be avoided. Generally, reports
from Mexico today were optimistic In
character. Mr.. Polk denied emphat
ically reports that the government ha:
any reliable information of plots Il
bring an armed Intervention. Genera
Carranza it was learned today had
been urged by some of his closest ad
visers to offer large reward for tht
apprehension of Villa.