The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-03-23
SUPPLIES WILL GO
INTO MEXICO BY
RAILROAD
Reports Indicate One Obstruction
Has Been 0VsICome
HERRERA UEVOlTs TO VILLA.
With 1000 Carranza Troops He Joins
Fortunes with Fleeing Bandit
Chief.

Ell PaSo, Tex, March 23.-All re-
ports today indicated that the United
States had taken over the Mexican
railroad, with the consent of the de.
facto government, in order to trans
port provisions and supplies to the
expedition under Gen. Pershing. How
this consent was obtained Is not
known outside OF army circles.
The problem of transporting sup
plies by auto truck over 200 miles of
desert has been found impracticable.
Washington, March 23-Grave ap-
prehension regarding the outcome of
the American expedition into Mexico
in pursuit OF Villa was evident for the
first time last night, after receipt by
the war department of dispatch
from Cen Funston saying report had
reached him that 1000 Carranza troops
at Chihuahua, under Gen. Louis Her.
rera, had revolted and aligned them
selves with the bandit chief Gen.
Funston did not disclose the source of
his information and, so far as could
be learned, no confirmation had reach
ed the state department or the Mexi-
can embassy. Fear that the report
might be true was not disguised in of
fetal circles. however, and last nights
developments were awaited with tense
anxiety.
If Herrera and his troops have join
ed Villa, some officials believe other
Carranza commanders and troops may
quickly follow their example. In such
an event, the United States and de
facto government of Mexico would
find themselves confronted with seri-
Gus situation. A large part of the
forces Of the -defacto government -in
northern Mexico formerly were Villa
soldiers and With their officers, have
followed5tl he bandit chieftain to many
hard-foueht victories.
Theftroops under Herrera are de-
scribed as being probably the best
equippedii in northern Mexico and they
are said to be we'll supplied with am
munition. Louis Herrera at one time
was one of Villas most active aids. as
was his brother. Maclovio. who now is
believed TO be operating in the state
of Coahuila with considerable force
'Rumors concerning the doubtful in
tentions of the Arrieta brothers, lead
ing force in Durango, also have tend
ed to increase dispute at Washington.
Rebellion in Carranzas army would
render the position Of the American
eXpeditionary force so perilous that
every available soldier would be
rushed in to reinforce the advancing
columns. For this purpose not more
than about $1,000 men would be avail
able without calling out the national
guard. There are now on the border
or in Mexico about $4,000 soldiers.
and in the whole of the continental
United States the other mobile forces
number only little more than 5000.
Before the Funston report arrived
Counselor Polk of the state depart
ment and Eliseo Arredondo, the Mex
ican ambassador designate, had com
pleted the draft of the protocol asked
for by Gen Carranza to govern the
operations Of the American forces in
Mexico and provide for cooperation
by the troops of the defacto govern.
ment Mr.. Polk and Mr.. Arredondo
were in entire accord on the terms of
the proposed convention and the lat
ter dispatched it to Gen Carranza,
with the recommendation that it be
approved. 1t is to become effective
Immediately upon being signed