Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-08-24
FUNSTON SUGGESTS
THAT PERSH|NG'S
ARMY Be RECALLED
Washington Annoyed at the
Publicity Given RecOmmen-
datiOn at the Present
Time.

Washington. Aug 2O.-A definite
from Mexico of General Pcrshing's cx-
petition has been made to the secre-
tary of war by Major-Gen. Frederick
Funston in response to a message from
the war department inquiring, for the
information of President Wilson,
whether the expedition can be with
drawn with safety as far as the pro-
lection of the American border Is con-
cerned.
Officials did not intend that General
Funston's recommendation should be-
come known at this time, but the fact
leaked. Although neither confirmed
nor denied formally, 1t was established
in an authoritative quarter that Cen
eral Funston had made such a recon-
mcndation.
There are some who think that the
Carranza government may now make
new ovcrtures for the withdrawal of
the American forces and intimate. if
only informally that there appears to
be less reason than formerly for the
consideration of the Mexican contro-
vcrsy by joint commission. if the gov
eminent should follow General Fun
stons recommendation and call Per
shing's forces back to the United
States.
Secretary Baker conferred with
President Wilson Saturday regarding
the Funston message and the effect of
publication. After the conference he
stated that there had been no change
of policy and that no orders had been
issued for the withdrawal of the
troops.
The premature disclosure Of General
f'unston's opinion caused a stir in Off
clal circles. whore it is felt that the
news is calculated to strengthen the
hand of the Carranza government in
IT'S diplomatic campaign for the with
drawal of the expedition. Publication
of the withdrawal recommendation
takes from the administration one of
the trump cards it expected to play in
the projected joint conference.
The Carranza government instructed
lts commissioners to give preferential
treatment in the coming conference to
the questions of withdrawal of Ameri-
| can troops and the protection of the
| border by joint military action; the
United States government expected
that the Mexican delegates would press
| for the withdrawal of the troops i'm
mediately. To be prepared for such a
| demand message was sent to Cen
eral Funston, asking for his opinion.
especially whether he thought tho
troops could be withdrawn with
| safety.
Now that his recommendation is dis
| closed, it is felt that the American
representatives will enter the confer
ence at a disadvantage when the Car
rama delegates know in advance that
this government is preparing to con-
cedc the withdrawal of tho troops
| Since tn" Porshing expedition is no
| longer being used for the pursuit of
Mexican maraudors, and even its pro-
tective character has been lcssenod by
the dispatch of 1O1. 900 national guards
men to the border it is believed not
only at General Funston's hcaduuar-
tors in San Antonio. but among army
| officers here that the stated purposes
of the expedition, to punish and to pro-
| tect. have been lost sight of and that
| it would be wise to withdraw the
! forces to conceive the health of the
mon, help the relations of the two gov
ernmonts. and lessen expense.
The United States had fewer than
| 10000 men on the border when the
| Columbus raid occurred. At present
there are 100000 Euardsmcn in c9nccn-
tration camps on the border. and nearly
$4,000 in mobilization camps in various
states ready to be sent to the front.
| Nearly 10000 regulars arc on the bor-
der and approximately II 600 in the
ferShlng expedition. 1t is argued that
the border force is as well able to pro-
tect the boundary as the force of 1000