Evening star., 1916-03-23
BORDER SITUATION
IS CAUSING WORRY
Gen. Funston and Staff Study
ing Plans for Quick
Action.
FORCE AT JUAREZ SAID
ON VERGE OF REBELLION
Carranza Troops at Torreon Are
Manifesting Signs of Wavering
Despite Official Denials.

SAN ANTONIO. Tex., March
2,5-Orders going from Fort
sam Houston provide for rapid
action at points along the border
should new rebellions in Mexico
make it necessary.
Gen. Funston * not altogether
convinced OF the truth of the re-
port that Gen. Luis Herrera, the
deposed military leader at Chi
huahua, had entered the field with
Villa against the United States,
but the repetition Of the report
and the absence of acceptable evl-
dence to the contrary cause the
general and his staff to regard it
as probably true.
The censorship imposed at
Fl Paso bv Gen. Bell was done
without orders from headquarters
here, but it is known that Cen
Bell has authority to go far in the
exercise OF his own Judgment in
meeting an extraordinary situa-
ton.
Studying Border Situation.
Staff officers of Gen. Funston are
studying moro extended area of
northern Mexico today. The proba BILE
moves of Herrera and his 1000 men are
being considered carefully. and at every
point along the border note is taken of
the positions of American troops and
the tyne il will take 10 move them to
meet any situation.
Army officers believe that if Herrera
has revolted his activities viii be con-
fined to operations that have for their
object the STRENGTHENING of Villa s
bands and the hara ssing of Gen. Per-
cut the Northwestern railway over
which Gen. Funston hopes to receive
permission to move supplies to The
American troops, now almost 200 miles
Gen. Funston is powerless. and il is
doubted if CarranZa' s troops are in po-
siton to oppose Herrera.
Reports at headquarters that Gen
Gavira' $ garrison at JuareZ is bout to
revolt and that the troops at Torreon
are manifestine dsaffection are re
sarded with apprehension AT the fort
The Mexican consul here continues TO
deny their truth. and reiterated his as
sertion that Herrera had not taken the
field.
Persistent Rumors of Attack.
COLUMBUS, y M.. March 29-Al-
though officially denied at army head
quarters here as an "unfounded false
hood" reports persisted today that
some of the motor trucks carrying sup
plies TO Gen. PershingS command in
Mexico are missing, together with
their drivers and guards
Two trucks with two drivers and
four guards which left Ascension for
Casas Grandes last Monday have not
Been seen since, it is reported. 1t also
was said that a driver reported to the
advanced base here without his truck.
Further reports indicate that Gen.
Luis Herrera. CarranZas former mill
tary governor of Chihuahua. with his
1000 men, is between the San Pedro
river and foothills of Sierra Madres,
just north of the line of the Mexico
Northwestern railway in central Chi
huahua.
Communication between the military
base here and Gen. Pershing's command
in Chihuahua was again interrupted
by intermittent rains during the night
Both the wireless and field telegraph
line were hampered 1t is expected
however that conditions will be normal
later in the day. A quantity of wire
arrived in the night and work of re-
pairing the field telegraph was begun
Immediately.
Amateurs Hamper Army Wireless.
DOUGLAS, Ariz., March 23-Amateur
wireless stations along the border
have been picking UP radio messages
from Gen. Pershing's headquarters.
government officials said today in ex-
planning why the wireless with the
forces has been working
so badry the last two days. No arrests
have been made. but stations put up
by several boys have been dismantled.
Whether any of the army MESA ges
have been caught by Mexican operators
is not known.
Rumors that Gen. Gales had been re-
cruiting a large force at Cabullona |
eighteen miles south of here, and at
other points in northeastern Sonora |
were declared false by the American |
4 nd Mexican authorities.
Trooper Robert Kettle, who attempted |
suicide two days ago, is improving |
slightly. with a chance of recovery.