New-York tribune., 1916-07-04
PERSHING COLUMN
NEARER BORDER
Continued from pnse l

that tho southern and western military
departments will take care or tne
eastern and western extremities OF the
line respectively.
Responsibility Divided.
Major General Frederick Funston, re-
liaved from responsibility for the en-
tire border at his own recommends
ton. will continue in command OF the
southern department, while MAJOR
General T. J. Franklin Bell, command
ing the western department, Will trans
fer his headquarters from San Fran
cisco 70 Douglas, Ariz., to be IN direct
touch with his share OF the porder
work.
The midsection OF the border line,
embracing all territory between III
Paso and a point near Douglas, and
reaching northward TO the COLORADO
state line. will be known hereafter as
the DEPARTMENT Of New Mexico. IN
dor its jurisdiction will fall the exp,edi-
tion into Mexico, based at Columbus
\. M.. and Brigadier General John j.
Pershing. now commanding the eXpe-
ditionary force, has been ohered the
post OF department commander.
A message was sent TO Geherai
Pershing to-day asking II he desired
10 assume the duties OF department
chief in addition TO those which now
fall 20 him as commander IN the HeIu'
No reply had been received from
General Pershing at late hour 10
night. II is possible that he VIII see
dificulties in the way OF combining
command OF the new department aho
of the expeditionary force under ohe
head. ,,..
In that case there are indications
that he would be expected to re!in-
ouisb direct command OF the expedi-
ton and establish his headquarters
a, some point on the border where
be could give personal attention 10
its need and also supervise the olS
nosition and training OF the tnousahus
Of National Guardsmen soon 10 pe
added 10 the portion of the line "l'hih
the new department.
The War Department has suggested
FL Paso for department headquarters,
hut has left the final choice TO Generai
persbinp With the line OF communi,
cation greatly shortened the general
stiu could coordinate the operations
of tho various regiments now oeyohu
the line, probably with she senioc :
colonel assigned TO direct command oil
the expedition.
In this connection officials here are
known 10 be considering the erect TINS
course might have on General Gar
ranza's suspicious as TO the real Pul- P
poses Of the American government me
expedition without general ofhcef III
command would lose something OF lts
significance in military eyes. 1T IS sald'
and could be viewed as nothing more
than the policing force it was designed
20 be.
Good Effect on Carranza.
Some officials believe this might not
ba lost upon General Carranza and
would tend to bear out the assertions y. :
of the Washington government that lts
troops would be withdrawn from Mex
ico as soon as the danger OF bandit
raids across the border had been ended
ENseo Arredondo. Mexican Amoassa-
dor designate. pointed out to-day tha1
the movement of the American troops
toward the border had created good
IMPRESSION in Mexico City. lie was
boneful that the differences between
tho two governments would be ADJUSTED
amicably.
AZ supporting the declarations OF his
government that II was taking all pos
sible steps 10 stop bandit operations IN
The border region, Mr.. Arredondo sara
tha. as rapidly as General Pershing
men had moved northwsrd Mexican
troons had taken their places ana
strlct police control OF the territory hsd
been maintained.