The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-08-24
Keeping Pershfng Troops in
Mexico Has Political Phase.
FunstOn's Recommendation for
Withdrawal a Revelation.
TRY TO SUPPRESS STATEMENT
Administration Fears Popular
Criticism-Is in a Quandary.
Would Look as Tho Yielding to
Carranza Demand.

Washington. Aug. 24.@The unin-
tended but fortunate disclosure of
General Funston's emphatic recon-
mendation that General Pershing's
command be withdrawn from Mexico
has revealed another important phase
of the Mexican situation which the adj
ministration had earnestly sought to
suppress.
Since April II, General Pershing's
command has been kept in Mexico. in
constant danger from attack. not per-
mitted to advance, without reinforce
nlents. to the injury of its health and
morale. because-President Wilson
could not make up his mind, either to
continue the pursuit of Villa or to
withdraw. In the effort to shift re-
sponsibility for any military disaster
which might occur Mr.. Wilson and
Secretary Baker have persistently
avoided asking the military author
tiles for their opinion, but they mad
vertently asked General Funston for
his views in connection with the pro-
posed Mexican conference and the
courageous little Kansan. without re-
gard to how unwelcome his words
would be to Mr.. Wilson, came back
with a flat-footed recommendation
that the troops be Withdrawn from
Mexican soil.
Funston Statement Leaks Out.
The administration tried vainly to
suppress the fact that Funston had
made this recommendation, but it
leaked out and knowing Funston they
| do not dare deny it
Pershing. it will be remembered
was ordered into Mexico to break up
the Villa band of bandits" Mr.. Wilson
said ito get Villa"-following the raid
| on. Columbus. on March s. The punt
tive expedition was brilliantly led and
had nearly captured Villa in the Sierra
Madre range when on April IL. the
Carranza forces at Paral treacherously
tattacked the American troops, killing
and wounding several.
The Wilson administration imme-
diat.ly became panic stricken, ordered
the pursuit abandoned and a watch
full waiting" policy adopted by Amer
tican troops in enemy country In great
idanger and at great expense. the
Pershing line into Mexico has been
lmaintafned ever since. although if he
| son for being there and should have
bbeens ordered back. 'Pershing was
then 500 miles below. the border. Fin
l'ally, he was secretly ordered to with
draw to Namiquipa. ESQ miles below
the border. 3
l. Wilson Unable to Decide. -
The retreat of the American soldiers
rem boldened the Carranzistas again tc
Lattack them at Carrizal, on June 81
where two officers and number OF
troopers were killed. Arredondo, Car
ranza's amba ssador, informed Presi-
| dent Wilson that the Carranza soldiers
fired by order of the first chief
4 Again the administration became pan
! ic stricken and Pershing was secretly
1 va6 S-ofr oil r1f1 0Trf1I ar
| 100 miles below the border
AS every military man knows altho
I few dare say it, Pershing has beer
kept there for no reason whatever
save that Mr.. Wilson has been unable
to make up his mind and because he
1 has feared popular criticism If on the
one hand. if he appeared to yield to
1 Carranza' demand that the American
troops be withdrawn. and on the 9TH
err, loss of the belief of some of the I'M
/ informed voters, that he has kept US
! out of war"