New Britain herald., 1916-03-18
National Officials at Washington Con- 1idcm There Will Be No Trouble With the Carranza GOVcrnmcnt~--- Secretary Baker Issues Statement, Saying Tampico is Only Place Where Excitement Prevails.
Where Excitement Prevails.

Washington, March 1S-American troops pursuing Villa and his bandits have no intention and no orders to occupy any cities or towns during their march into Mexico.
 This was stated at the White House and war department today after the receipt of a report that Gen. CaVird. Carranza commander at Juarez had given notice. that Gen. Pershing's troops would not be allowed to oc- cupy Casas Grandes or other towns.
 It was declared by administration officials that the pursuit of Villa, being entirely a punitive expedition, had none of the characteristics Of an invasion and that there was no object in occupying towns or cities, because American troops will keep constantly on the move.
 Officials said today that the situ&- tion at Tampico. where uneaSineSS is said to exist among Americans and other foreigners, had no bearing on the pursuit of Villa.
 Reports received at both the war and state departments today cor~ tinued to be optimistic.
 All Quiet, Says Baker.
 ' the following statement: "The reports received directly through military channels and thoso | sent to this department from othcr departments of the government indi- cate quiet along the entire border. except some excitement at Tampico, which is apparently temporary and without cause.
 'Therc are no reports of the op- erations of the expedition available for publication"
 The secretary said he would leave Washington this afternoon for his home at Cleveland and would not re- turn until Tuesday morning. In his absence Major Gen. Hugh l.. Scott, chief of staff will be acting secrc- tary of war.
 200 Refugees at Vera Cruz.
 Navy department reports today from Vera Cruz say about 200 Amor jeans from Mexico City and other interior points have arrived there, most of them acting upon adviceS from friends and relatives in the United States urging them to leave Mexico. Conditions at Vera Cruz, the message said, are quiet and many of the Americans, after investigation of reports as to the situation, are returning to the interior.
 Francisco Villa and his bandits were fleeing before the American ex- peditionary forces in northern Mex ico today, in the opinion of army officers here.
 This belief was based upon des- patches from the American columns reporting that none of the outlaws had been seen up to late yesterday and strengthened the opinion that the Villa forces would not attempt to make stand Army men declared that the campaign would quickly de- velop into guerrilla warfare if there was any opposition
 No Disorder Reported
 Latest despatch to the war depart ment make no mention of disorders on the border, according to Secretary Baker Reports from American con- Sular representatives, telling of gen erally quiet conditions in the inter 1 for of Mexico, continue to arrive UE- l settled conditions in the Tampico and l Torreon districts, however, give l government officials some concern.
 Navy officials today continued to | reiterate that movements of ships | and marines had no concern with tho Mexican situation.