The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-06-23
OHIO TROOPS
HAVE The CALL.
VIII Be Among the First TO Move
TO Mexican Border.
FUNSTON WANTS $4,000 men

"SHSSot odSSu On Disturbing Reporta
Concerning Activity Of Mexican
Forces South Of the international
soundary-Quick Action Follows
Dispatch of American Note FlatIy
Rejecting carranza's Demands.
Washington, June 21.-The request
OF Major General Funston that 65 900
men of the national guard be sent to
him as soon as they are available, is
understood to have been based on
disturbing reports which have reached
Funston's headquarters concerning
the activity of Mexican forces south
Of the border.
A few hours previous to the receipt
of the Funston message in Washing.
ton Secretary Lansing had delivered
to Eliseo Arredondo, Mexican ambas-
sador-designate, one of the sharpest
notes ever addressed by one govern
ment to another. This note was the
formal reply of the United States to
the threatening note sent to Washing.
ton by the Carranza government on
May 20 demanding an immediate with
drawal of the American forces from
Mexico. The American reply fatty
reected the demand and served mo-
tice on Carranza that grave conse-
quences" will result from any attack
on American forces.
Bluntly the note told Carranza that
this government Cannot recede from
its settled determination to maintain
Its national rights" and to prevent fur
ther raids across the boundary. Long
continued outrages against Americans
and their property both in Mexico and
on American soil are reviewed in the
note and warning given that the
troops will be kept in Mexico until
such time as the de facto govern
ment performs the duty which the
United States has not sought in pur-
suing the bandits who ought to be
arrested and punished by the Mexican
government
Major General Bliss, assistant chief
OF staff, and Adjutant General Henry
4hOSdih WtIG III tOn.cIellCe COn-
cerning Funston's request for nation
al guardsmen. Inquiries will be sent
to the governors of the states asking
how much time will be needed for
their troops to mobilize.
Ohio Troops May Be Called.
Those organizations best In shape
TO move will be among those chosen
to go first. Officials of the militia
division Of the war department are in.
clined to think that these would in.
clude the national guard of New York,
Massachusetts,, Illinois, Ohio and
Pennsylvania, although the depart
ment would prefer II possible to OBJ
tain part of the contingent from states
in the vicinity OF the border. Should
the situation demand immediate ac-
tion, 1t is said that the department
would probably not wait for the organ
izations to be mustered up to the
required strength. but would enroll
them at once and move them to the
border, trusting to flll up their ranks
there.
On every side in official quarters
there were plain indications that the
administration is expecting serious
developments in the very near future
and is laying plans to meet them with
drastic action.
It was reiterated carefully at the
state department that no aggressive
steps will be taken other than a
mobilization of additional troops On
the border unless the Carranza forces
should begin hostilities.
The government has considered the
advisability of blockading all Mexican
ports as the first step In any aggres
sive action that might become neces.
sary. The purpose of this would be
to prevent shipments of arms or any
other war supplies from reaching the
Mexicans from any quarter.
For the part which the navy might
have to play in maintaining block
ade Secretary Daniels wrote to Chair
man Tillman of the senate naval
committee asking that an amendment
be inserted in the navy bill increasing
the enlistment strength of the navy
to 74,700 in order that the ships In
reserve might be manned at fifty
P,,I1 ctr nf