The Washington herald., 1916-04-15
American Soldiers viii Con-
tinue Pursuit of Villa While
Lansing Argues Question.
U. S. WILL SEND NOTE
State Department to Explain
That Troops Will Withdraw
When Mission Is Over.

Amid intense anxiety concerning the
fate OF Maj. ThompISins and the small
detachment OF American troops attacked
by Mexicans at ParrsI on Wednesday.
Secretary OF State Lansing let It be
known yesterday afternoon that he is
ready TO treat with the Carranza gov
eminent on the subject OF withdrawing
the American forces from Mexico.
II Is understood that a formal reply
TO the note from Csrranza is now in
course Of preparation, and will be sent
within the next day or two. Explaining
that he did not regard the representa-
tions from the Mexican government as
constituting demand for the immediate
withdrawal Off the troops, the Secretary
Indicated a willingness to give such as
surances to Carranza as will satisfy the
Mexican people that the expedition will
be brought back across the border within
a reasonable time and Just as soon as
circumstances will permit
In the meantime, 1t was stated, no
orders have been sent Withdrawing the
troops, nor. 1t was stated by Secretary
Of War Baker, are any in contemplation.
Secretary Lansing stated that as far as
-he krrw. tie pursuit OF villa was stin
on.
Farther Details Sought.
Every possible effort is being made
by the State and War Department to get
further details through American sources
concerning the fight at ParraI. Secretary
Baker admitted last night that not only
has Gen. Pershing failed TO respond TO
the request for informa tion, but not a
word has come through of any kind from
the troops in Mexico since April 10. when
Gen. Pershing reported the list OF Ameri-
can soldiers wounded in the first engage
ment with YilIistas at Guerrero on
March %
Whether Pershing. who was last re-
ported as being well up with the sd-
vance columns, has been cut off, or
his line of communications has been
cut, or whether his failure to answer
the repeated inquiries from Washing
ton is due to break down in his
wireless outfits are all questions which
figure in the anxious speculation OF
officials here
Washington is keyed up. to a high
pitch over the developments. Secre-
tary Lansing himself admitted yester-
day afternoon that the situation is be-
coming increasingly dangerous in the
absence Of any understanding with the
Carranza government, and indicated
that he appreciates rhe possibility that
the feeling in Mexico may at any time
get beyond the control. of the de facto
government.
Surprise Over Statement.
At the same time he denied a re-
port that he had instructed Special
Agent James Linn Rodgers to reopen
negotiations with Carranzs in the
hope OF stavIng of trouble. He de-
clared that no instructions of any
kind have been sent to Mr.. Rodgers,
who is at Mexico City awaiting the
formal entry into that city OF Car
rama and his cabinet. who are re-
ported to have arrived in the out
skirts of the capital.
There was considerable surprise at
first when Secretary Lansing stated
that he was prepared to accept the
suggestion made in the carranza note
that the time had arrived TO treat
with the government OF the United
States upon the subject the with
drawal of its forces from our ter
ritory"
1t was evident. though. from sub
sequent statements made by the Sec
retsry. that the administration has no
present intention of witncre-.ns. and
merely desires to enter upon such
negotiations as will prevent break
pending the time when the President
decides that the expedition should be
harL a