Evening journal., 1916-06-26

den on the American forces as to as
sure peace. On the contrary, develop
ments so shaped themselves that 1t
seems likely President Wilson may
find Il necessary to appear before
Congress before the week ends.
Only a complete right about face
by Carranza can save the situation, it
was said. The report of Captain
Morey, as he lay supposedly dying on
the Carrizal desert, indicated to Off
cials that the action of the American
force before Carrizal ght have been
provocative.
Morey wrote that Captain Boyd was
under the impression that the MeXi-
cans would run when the Americans
fired
I'VE formed for attack" said
Morey's report.
On the other hand. the publication
OF the Americans demands for the re-
lease OF seventeen American prisoners
from Chihuahua showed that Carran-
"a had ordered the order to get Ire
vino to permit the Americans to move
south, east or west. This would place
upon Carranza the responsibility for
the Mexicans firing and perhaps prove
necessity for Boyd's offensive.
Persons in touch with President
Wilson's views said he would delay
going before Congress on a war mis-
sion until Carranza had had time to
answer the American virtual ulti-
matum. The charge in this message
that Caranza had acted with hostility
in issuing the order to General Tre-
vino gave evidence that the admins
tration believed war is the only an
swer if Carranza does not free the
Americans taken at Carrizal disavow
that incident and promise safety for
the American forces hereafter.
/ Troop trains are ready to take
/ American militiamen to the border.
/ Forces from New York. Massachu-
sets, Connecticut and New Jersey
were booked to start before night,
and the Missouri, Kansas and Wiscon-
sin forces also should be on their
way today or tomorrow. The bulk Of
the 100000 militamen ordered are ex-
pected to be started for the border by
the end OF the week.
Everything possible is being done
to hasten the departure OF the entire
force. These preparations, coupled
with War Department activity. re-
iiected the view of army men that
trouble is in the offing. though they
admitted diplomacy still may have a
chance. The campaign is planned. II
contemplates taking sufficient time to
avoid unnecessary casualties through
lack of preparation. 1t proposes
sweeping into Mexico from strategic
border points, locking in the northern
Mexican forces. seizing Torreon and
Saltillo to control railroads and push
ing through to Mexico City.
AS matters now stand. these moves
will require stripping the border con-
troll of regulars. At some points this
must be delayed pending the arrival
Of militia and opportunity for the
fresh forces to harden.
There will be undue delay. however,
if war comes.
Lessons of previous Mexican war
have been recalled. There will he
no terrible sacrifice Of men If the
best military brains can prevent il.
The army will not find itself, as it
did before, unable to fill up gaps
made at a critical time by expiration
of enlistments.
In order that there may be sufi-
cient men, call for volunteers will
be one Of the first steps il President
Wilson decides war cannot ge avoid
ed. Two hundred and fifty thousand
are the figures estimated for the first
cali and six months the time for
raising them. If war comes, it will
be long. the experts say. The spec
tacular battles probably will occur
within a few months. but the work
Of controlling guerrilla bands and
rehabilitating the country will doubt
less take from two to FIVE years.
The idea that Captain Boyd was at
least partly on the aggressive was
voiced by a cabinet officer today. He
said. however, he felt the crux OF
the situation was in the demands on
Carranza and that now all depends on
Carranza's action regarding the hold
ing of American prisoners and his
future attitude toward the United
States