Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-04-01
Joint Resolution Adopted With
Only One Member, a So
ciaIist of New York,
Directing to 1t.
VILLA is HEMMED IN?
Bandits who Attacked Columbus, ~.
M, Reported Surrounded by Car
rama SoIdiers-Mexican First
Chief Issues Statement

Washington, March 15.-The entire
mobile army of the United States i'm
mediately is to be placed on a war
footing The recruiting of the army
to full strength will cover every
branch of the service, with the single
exception of the coast artillery.
Congress late today was stirred by
the sudden and unanticipated request
of the President for authority to place
the army on a war basis. The re-
Spouse was quick and emphatic. With
only single negative vote, that of
Representative Meyer London, Social
ist member from New York, the House
granted the requested authority by the
enactment of a privileged resolution
providing for an increase in the regu-
lar military establishment of approx
mately twenty thousand men,
This increase of twenty thousand
men will be divided as follows: Infan-
try 10000. cavalry 1900, field artillery
LOO.
The recruiting offices over the Ma
ton will be put to work at full blast
to get the required men at once.
HuSnin9 preparations.
Notwithstanding the determined eff
forts of the administration to avoid a
general movement into Mexico. if it
can be avoided, the IMPRESSION that
the President and his advisers are
rushing preparations to cover the pos
sibility for hostilities more extensive
than would be involved in the mere
pursuit and capture of Villa was
strengthened by this new call for
troops. Although the attitude of Car
rama is described as "scrupulously
satisfactory as result of the recip-
rocal agreement entered into by the
United States, there continues a grave
fear in all official circles that the
American expeditionary force will
meet with opposition from other than
villa sympathizers in the forthcoming
campaign.
Claim Villa is Surrounded.
Ell Paso, Tex, March 15.-Through
the thick veil of censorship which has
been established by General Funston,
sufficient information leaked through
today to confirm the belief that the
advance guard of the first expedition
airy force may start in pursuit of Villa
in time to be measured by hours
The main force may not start for two
or three days.
While the border waited in keen ex-
pectancy for word that United States
soldiers had crossed the international
line, reports flowed in from Mexican
sources to the effect that Mexico's
arch bandit already had been surround
ed by the troops of Carranza The
first chief apparently was making
strenuous efforts to anticipate the
Americans and was reported from sew
eral sources to have concentrated
more than ten thousand troops at diff
ferent points about the Casas Grandes
region in Chihuahua, where Villa is
supposed to be.
Agreement With carranza.
Washington, March 1.-THE United
States government entered into a
formal agreement with the de facto
government of Mexico today under
which American troops will cross the
border to hunt down Villa and his
bandits. viii the expectation of
hearty cooperation from the Carranza
forces:
Secretary of State Lansing made
PuoAS Tic lcAt Oh a note accepting
General Carranza's proposal for a re-
ciproca1 arrangement between the two
governments and announcing that the
United ,tates held this arrangement
to be now in force and binding upon
both parties General Funston will
carry out his task under this agree
ment- Official announcement was
awaited tonight that the American
force had crossed the border Plans
for the troop movements have gone
ahead without regard to the diplo-
matte exchanges.
Not Intervention.
Mr. Lansing also made public a
statement issued in the name of Presi.
dent Wilson reiterating that every
step being taken by the administra-
ton. based on the deliberate intention
Explosion Sank British Ship.