Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-23
Pershing'S Forces Cannot Re-
main Unless He Has More
Men and Better System of
Supplies,
AMERICANS ASSUME
DEFENSIVE ATTITUDE
General Scott Has All Facts
Before Him and viii Re-
port Opinions TO Washing
ton Authorities.
tsv MORNING Iou.r., srse,A, ls.sso wiss'

: San Antonio. Tex, April 22.~--MalOr
General Hugh L. Scott had practic~
! ally concluded late today the mission
on which he was sent here by the
secretary of war It was said he prob
ably would depart tomorrow for
Washington. He viii make to the
secretary q personal report on which
1t is believed by headquarters offic-
ials the administration will base It's
decision whether the American troops
are to remain In Mexico or 10 come
/ out
Since Ills arrival here last night
General Scott has been with General
! Funston almost constantly Together
they have read such reports as came
from the base at Columbus. from Of
ficers along the line Of communica-
ton and from General pershing
None Of these indicated fresh activ-
ity by the American forces but prep
aration for attack was Indicated and
General Scott gained at first hand an
idea of the defensive attitude the
punitive expedition has assumed.
No Conclusion Reached.
General Funston and his staff plac-
ed before the chief Of staff every
communication received and In addi-
tion TO that record provided him with
such other evidence verbal and writ
ten, as bore on the case. AS to the
conclusions General Scott had reach
ed and the nature of the report he
would make, he was non-committal.
He was asked If II had been decided
to withdraw the troops and replied:
We have not reached conclusion >
He nodded his head toward General
| Funston when he said WV"
General Funston placed before the
chief of staff all the reports from
General Pershing already sent to
Washington in which General Perish
ing Is known to have appealed for
more troops and for radical changes
in operations. These and other re-
ports set forth with specific clearness
the embarrassment which the troops
have met from Carran2a minor Of
ficials and from Carranza troops and
the unmistakable lack OF co-opera-
ton.
General Scctt was also given OPP
nortunity to learn just how and why
the expedition was forced into de-
fensive position instead of continuing
the pursuit of Villa, who now appears
to have escaped into the districts be-
yond the furthermost advanced de-
tachment Of General Pershings com
mand There was at his hand the
evidence that the mayor of Parral had
served on Colonel w. G. Brown, at
Santa cruz. an ultimatum, after the
fight at Parral, that he must not ad-
vance another soldier southward.
Reviewing the transportation prob
lem, reports from General Pershing
aud other made apparent the oddity
Of mantaing 400-mile winding line
of communication guarded by thou.
sands of troops when a much shorter
route could be used, relieving for ac-
tive duty at the front a great part of
the punitive force
Villas Capture Not Probable.
II was regarded here as probable
that General Funston would concur
In report stating that the capture of
villa with the present organization
operating along the same lines was
improbable.
In view of the protest by Carranza |
and the evident antagonism eneoun- !
tered, 1t also has become evident that /
increased activity probably would !
meet with formal armed opposition |
by the de facto government troops (
In these conclusions army men mere !
take II for granted the chief Of staff |
VIII tOIlIuTt If1UN ilthhfliE II llNtfGctiF /
for the administration to decide at /
an early date the nature of future op-
erations In Mexico.
There was available for General
SCOTS consideration much informa-
ton relative to the movements of
Mexican troops in northern Mexico I
and report, official and unofficial. Of
activities of men and groups of men.
who are credited with plans for To-
fresh revolutions against the
de facto government. At departmental
headquarters there also was lnforma-
tion that indicated plan by certain
of them Mexican Of
resume the raids ON the
border west OF Brownsville. Impli-
Gated In this plan, II was said, were
some OF the same men who particl-
pated in them last summer.
The routine OF General Pershing's
1peratlons continued today and more
If the 1890 troops ordered 10 Coiun-
bus by General Funston arrived at the
frontier base. No additional troops
had been ordered into this depart
nent TO take their places on the bor-
Ter patrol, but such forces, Il was
earned today. had been requested by
ieneral Funston.
ttHtfdi foNpiA anu b'ii'iNi fN'H /
on sent to the war department today !
what was said 10 be Joint teiegra-
,hic report as 10 a result Of their dis |
sussion OF the Mexican situation. I
Neither would discuss its character. ,
,ut it was taken as an indication that
hey we're In accord ON recommends ;
ions that General Scott would make
o Secretary Baker when he arrives !
n Washington. i