The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-10

tlO1 OL tHC hLucI lCftu u OODc, u known in military circles as a '' issued for the return of the sol will be issued for the present.
 Shocked indignation occasioned by news of Villas outrage was quickly succeeded by undisguised satisfaction in official and congressional circles over the knowledge that after three years of patient forbearance United States troops actually were on Mex ican soil to avenge the death of their comrades and bring to justice the out laws whose depredations have ter rorized Americans on both sides of the border.
 FEW DETAILS KNOWN
 Reportes that the American troop CTS were in action tonight probably 15
 miles south of the border against a
 much larger force of bandits were heard with anxious interest in off cial circles. Five troops of cavalry
 crossed the border early in the day. At late hour tonight it was not
 known officially just where they were Tor just what account they had given of themselves.
 While no formal word of the policy oi the administration was given out. it wal | ,l~I.. AL
 given free rein to catch the bandits il
 possible. It was not considered in ad.
 ministranon circles that Colonel Slocum s
 act in any sense constituted an invasion
 of Mexico, a policy which the admins
 tration has opposed In the past, and will
 continue to oppose
 The state department at first had
 planned to ask permission of the Car
 ranza government to send troops across
 the border in pursuit of the outlaw band Then came official word that the cavalry already had crossed. Later MT. Arredon- do called upon Secretary Lansing, ex- pressed regret for the Villa raid, an6 was informed of the attitude of the Uni. ted States MT. Arredondo said he would communicate with General Carrana i'm. mediately.
 READY FOR OBJECTION In expressing hope that the Carranza government would not object to the crossing of the troops, the state depart ment was said to fully realize that there might be objections and that 1t was fully prepared to meet them. Persons who talked to MT Arredondo, however, gath. cred the impression that he. at least seemed to believe the Carranza govern ment might not object, 1t being under stood that the American troops were sim. ply hunting down bandits whose depre- dations have long been a source of trou- ble not only to the United States but l to the de facto government.
 Formally there is no authority for tho presence of the American troops in Mex ! ico In fact, the patrols along the border have from the beginning of disorder: there been under instructions not to cross under any consideration. If the provo cation had not been so great the off i cers responsible for the action of today would face courtmartial. Suggestions tha Colonel Slocum, in command at Columbus might be courtmartialed, however wer,
 secuted by officials.
 CONFERS WITH BAKER ] Newton D. Baker, who became Secre l tary of War today, conferred over tn, situation with President Wilson tonight | Three hours later Mir Baker said no or ders had been sent for the recall of tn American soldiers.
 l Major General Scott, chief of staff, tel egraphed General Funston at Fort San 1 Houston, in command of the borde | forces, for all details available. He sait l the policy of the government would no be outlined until General Funston's repl, | had been received.
 | What had been done toward strengthen ing the forces near Columbus or reinorc | ing the little comand that had riddel against the bandits apparently was no known at the war department tonight l General Funston has full authority on tn,
 border and is making such troop move
 ments as he thinks necessary. Even he
 however, is distant from the scene, ant
 so far is not fully informed as to wha Colonel Slocum has done.
 | A brief report reached the departmen
 during the day telling of the raid ant afterward General Funston relayed dis patch from Brigadier General Pershing telling of a telephone report from Colone Slocum and announcing that five troop
 had been sent across the border with in structions not to go more than two miles REPORT BY FUNSTON I Tonight General Funston sent this tele gram to General Scott:
 "The only information that have o | our troops having crossed the border i
 newspaper reports. Report from Colone