Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-06-17
SITUATION IN
MEXICO GETTING
VERY ACUTE
Despite Threats, Administration
Will Continue Bandit Cam
paign. s's
OFFICIALS DO NOT FEAR {
AN IMMEDIATE CLASH
General Pershing's Forces Ara
Distributed at Strategic
Points. NJ

Chihuahua City, June 16.-Generat
,Jacinto Travino, commanding the Car.
ranzista army of the north, today adj
ivsed Gen. J. J. Pershing, American
expeditionary commander, that any
movement Of American troops from
their present lines to the south. east
or west, woulfi be considered q hos
tile act and signal to commence war
fare. Gen. Trevino acted on specific
instructions from Gen Carranza.
Washington, June 16.-There were
no Indications here tonight that the
administrations determination to con-
tinue the campaigny against bandttHf
would III any way be altered by Gen.
Trevino's reported threat to begin
hostilities if the American troops
move from their present position in
any direction, except toward the bor-'t
der.
Gen. Pershing's orders authorized
him to move in any direction he finda
necessary.
No Fear Of impending Clash.
There is no fear Of an impending
clash, however, for officials believe
Gen. Pershing would avoid taking any
step that might lead to serious con-
sequences, until he had communicated
with Washington. Late tonight the:
war department had no word from
him or any other source to confirm the
report of Gen. Trevino's action. Re-
cent troop movements in Chihuahua
have lead officials here to fear that
the de factO commanders were pre-.
pairing for some hostile move.
The Mexican forces now are distrib.
uted in detachments of considerable
strength on two lines, converging
from points near the border east and
west of Gen Pershing's line and meet.
ing at point south Of his field base
at Namiquipa. The effect has been to
enclose the American troops in 81.
gantic "V."
This disposition of Carranza troops
has been one Of the basis Of suspicion
as to his position. While the Mexi-
cans are so posted, the officials de.
clare they cannot be in good faith
conducting any campaign against
bandits, but they can keep close
watch on the movements of &c. Per.
shing's men. The breaking up Of the
forces into small parties to scour the
country for outlaws is one Of the con.
ditions which would be demanded BY
the United States before the Ameris
can expedition would be recalled. Il
No Fear for Safety.
Army officers have no fear for the
1f 0E USc
mater what developes. The strategic
points at the base camp and along the
lines of communications are protected
by entertainments.
The report of Gen. Trevino's acs
tions gave rise to q new speculation
as to the, course to be taken by Presis
dent Wilson, to make certain the safe
ty of the entire torder The entire
National Guard, in effect, has been un.
der waiting orders for several weeksa
and some officials thought it possible
a big force of guardsnnen would bo
promptly ordered to the border, ie
later dispatches confirm the Chihuae
hua City story. Il
Gen. Funston Net Advised
San Antonio, June 16.-Gen. Eunss
ton, late tonight, had not received any
advices from Gen. Pershing relative to
the receipt of a warning BY Gen. Tres
vino that any movement Of the Amerip
can troops, except toward the border
would be considered an hostile act.
Scours Country fer 0andlts.
For two hours today Major Aloaso
Gray secured strip Of country on th6
Mexican side Of the Rio Gfando foe
traces Of tn, bandits. who yesterday
raided his camp at San Ignacio.
No trace OF the Nexicans va H.
covered.
Three Mexicans, alleged 20 Aav1
participated In the raid. were captuys
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