Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-17

to Ueneral PerShlng mat any
troop movement east, west or
south would be regarded as a hos
tile act every preparation was be-
ing made along the border today
for eventualitieS.
officers and soldiers Of the Ameri-
can garrison here were kept closely
to their quarters. Street car service
to Juarez was at standstill and eff
forts were made by the United States
customs officials to persuade Ameri-
cans not to cross the river.
Tension was noticeable on the Mex
lean side, where numbers of civilians
were arming themselves. Reports
from authentic sources indicated that
recruiting for the army was being
! pushed in all the larger cities in north
ern Mexico.
Watch De FactO Troops.
San Antonio, Texas, June 17,-Gen-
eral Funston and his staff gave care
ful attention today to the activities of
outlaw bands along the Mexican Dor
, der, but far greater interest was dis
played in the attitude being assured
by the troops of the de facto govern
ment.
General Parker at Brownsville,
| Texas, made brief report early this
morning of the latest manifestation
! of outlawry near San Benits, and Gen
| eral Mann reported the continuation
of the search for traces of the bandits
! that raided the cavalry camp at San
| Ignacio, but it was evident at depart
ment headquarters that greater sig
nifcance was attached to the doings
| of Carranzas troops than to those Of
the bandit leaders.
| General Ricaut's warning that the
crossing of the border by any Ameri-
can troops for any cause whatever
would be regarded as all overt act by
the United States and would be the
cause of attack by the de facto gov
eminent troops did not disturb Cen
eral Funston or his staff. The search
| for bandits will continue and when
ever hot trail" is found leading into
Mexico the American troops will not
hesitate to follow it. The officers in
charge of troops on the border have
such instructions that the crossing of
the international line will not be de-
layed by reports. They have the au-
thority to cross without waiting for
special instructions.
Funston Has 10000.
| General Funston's army of almost
$4,000 has been so disposed along the
| II
action could be taken if invited by any
overt act of Carranza's army. Cen
eral Jacinto Trevino's threat to attack
General Pershing if the American
troops move east or west or south
was regarded by army officers here
as little less than a declaration OF
,hostilities by the MeXicans, since il
may be necessary at any time for the
leader of the big punitive expedition
to send small detachments in pursuit
of outlaw bands that may be menaC-
ing his outposts. No fear is felt, how
ever, that General Pershing will not
be able to take care of himself.
Take Precautions.
| Precautions taken by General Bel
at Ell Paso last night in holding al
the American troops ready for action
were similar to those taken at every
border point opposite which there was
any considerable number of CarranZa
troops. The greatest activity was dis
played at Juarez, because military au-
thorities there armed portion of The
civilian population and because of the
recent reinforcement of the Mexican
garrison. General Greene at Eagle
Pass and General Mann at Laredo alsf
prepared to move quickly in case o
eventualities, but less activity on the
Mexican side of the river was dis
played at those points.
Washington, June 17-Warning from
Mexican commanders that any move
ment of American troops except IN re
tirement toward the border would pre-
cipitate hostilities will not change IN
purpose of the United States govern
ment to keep its expedition IN nortnerl
Mexico or prevent General Pershlni
from taking any steps necessary 10 III
sure the safety of his own column
and deal with bandits threatening IN
border No advance further south i
contemplated and it is not beheVe
here the Carranza forces are planning
an immediate attack upon the presen
American forces.
The war department today was with
ont advices from General Pershing re
garding the warning said to have bee
sent him by General Trevino the Car
rama commander at Chihuahua. bu
General Funston reported the sub