New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-21

cally. additional camp equipment must
be assembled for them, and the trans
10 carry them 20 the border arranged
for. n
The entire guard of the District OF
Columbia will be under canvas to-mor-
row NJ Fort Myer, Va. ready for mus.
ter. Several states also are expected
TO complete their mobilization by to-
morrow night, and decision may then
be reached as 10 which forces VIII be
moved first. There was not sufhclent
information available tonight TO fur
nish an estimate as 10 how much time
would be required 10 get the entlre
force ready for active service.
War Department officials have been
highly gratified at reports Of crowded
recruiting stations in several states
They also are pleased that the Gov
errors Of virtually all states having
important national guard units which
were not summoned have sought per
mission TO forward their ehtire con-
tingent
There was much speculation tonight
as TO the probable course of the Presl-
dent should Carranza orde- an attack
on General Pershing's men in the face
warning. II was generally believed
that the hint contained in Secretary
Lansing's note that military occupation
of Northern Mexico had been consld-
cred as an alternative at times when
the situation beyond the border APP
reared critical might indicate the plan
OF action should war now be forced on
the nation.
As preliminary step 70 such an oc-
cupation, and pending the organization
of an army of the size such an under,
taking would require, il was regarded
as possible that a general advance from
the border to line paralleling the
head OF Pershing's column at Mani
ouipa might be undertaken. With
American forces disposed along such a
line. holding important towns and stra-
tegic points from the Pacitc to the
Gulf coast, there could be no fear OF
serious hostilities al the border. Any
advancing Mexican force would be sub
iect 10 attack from the rear should il
move northward Of this advanced line.
There is no fear here for the safety
Of General Pershing and his men. The
exact disposition OF the troops, even
the exact number now beyond the bor-
der, constitute military secrets. There
is reason TO believe. however, that be-
tween 10000 and 10000 regulars are
posted at the advance camps or along
the line Of communications.
Relief Expeditions Prepared.
Relief expeditions also are said to
have been organized at various border
points. ready 10 dash forward in flank
attacks on any large Mexican force
which might attempt 10 assault Per-
shing's intrenched camps or cut him
off from his border base of supplies.
One column. with strong artillery sup
port. is said 10 be ready 10 cover Pull
pit Pass. the military highway through
the mountains between the states OF
Chihuahua and Sonora. and through
which the formidable Sonora garrisons
might seek to strike at Pershing's rear
detachments.
II was pointed out that establish
ment Of a general line across Mexico
south OF Pulpit Pass would close that
route 20 hostile forces. Another argu-
ment advanced in support Of this plan
of action was that the various rail-
roads could be quickly repaired and
made use Of 20 supply the troops, max
ing II possible 20 shift the entire scene
OF hoHlllllltS 70 AeAlCan sOl4'
Some officials believe that with the
prompt repulse of any attack on Ameri-
can forces and the maintenance Of a
raid watch over the supplies that en-
ter the country, complete occupation
could be carried out with little fight
ing after the lapse OF a few weeks.
While rowing hands of outlaws would
make vigilance essential. IL was thought
organized resistance could be quickly
broken up as the advanced columns
were reinforced with volunteers and
moved slowly southwark