The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1916-03-17
FOR PROTECTION
ALONG BORDER
House Votes to Increase Am0Ti-
can Standing Army.
MEANS FORCE OF 100000 men

sMction Taken Following Conference
Between Secretary of War Baker
and the chairmen Of the Military
Committees of ongress-Adminls
Sration Paving the way to Prepare
Itself For Any Emergency.
Washington. March 15.-By vote
81 256 to l. the house OF representa-
dives passed joint resolution author
,Szing the president to increase the
standing army of the United States
of 100000 men. The one dissenting
TOte was that of Representative
Meyer London. the New York So
Scfalist.
This action was taken following a
aODnference between Secretary of War
Baker and the chairman of the mill
RaFy committees of congress, ard is
Nniended to provide adequate military
Drotection along the border during
fAe time that the punitive expedition
Is in Mexico in pursuit of Villa. It
Indicates that the administration is
paving the way to prepare itself for
any emergency that may arse incident
20 the relations of the United States
with Mexico
Assurances have been given by lead.
wrs that the senate will pass the Joint
resolution without delay.
zts adoption will enable the presi-
dent to increase the mobile army In
continental United States to more
than $4,000 men, all Of whom may be
used in Mexico or near the border in
the event of an emergency. The army
at present numbers about $4,000 men.
Only $4,000 mobile troops are in the
United States. The others are at
Panama and in the island possessions.
There are now approximately $4,000
American soldiers on the border. With
the additional 19,0i7 troops about to
4be authorized by congress the forces
In that region undoubtedly will be
strengthened
Although every effort is being made
by the administration to minimize the
Sanik OF serious complications growing
cut OF the Mexican expedition, steps
mre being taken to hasten action on
aiae army and navy preparedness bills.
Reports From Border.
reports from the border that the
Mexican authorities at Juarez had
-nnked that the movement OF American
forces be postponed for two weeks in
utder to allow the Carranza forces an
opportunity to capture villa without
American interference, received no
cunfirmation either mt the state de-
pArtment or war department
Army officials here explain the de-
Saay entirely on the assumption that
General Funston desires before enter
eng Mexico to take every precaution,
1at only to insure plenty of supplies
seBtting to his troops, but In order to
atBtrlbnte his forces remaining on the
ABrdor In such way as to guard
nEAinst any possible attack from the
NaeKican side, or any repetition by
HtIia of mis- raids on Unprotected Amer.
tecMn towns.
Reports received at the state de
UMStment from various parts of Mex.
'drS show little apprehension among
6lAe Americans In central sections o.
&AN republic.
The war department announced
Aha1 Il had given orders to two auto
GrDbiie manufacturers for the imme
Aiate delivery on the border OF fifty
Gr trucks. to he used In supplying
ahe troops In the interior of Mexico
with provisions and ammunition from
Ttke border bases Whether the main
seKpedi.lon will await the arrival ol
Abese Ia not known,