Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-31
HAMPERED In USE OF
MEXICAN RAILWAYS
Supplies to Pershing's Men Can Be
Sent Only as Commercial Freight
Under New Deal.
U. S. MUST KEEP HANDS OFF


orders already issued to the commits
sary department we're such that no
delay was expected. II was said that
within a few hours the stores which
the quarterrnaster's department had
been aeeumulating at El Paso, could
be billed to points along the North
western, once the official sanction
was given.
l, The position taken by the advance
3forces of General Pershing made
some new routing OF supplies neces-
sary and Carranza's permission to
use the railroad for the transporta-
] tion OF supplies was welcomed as a
relief even although bearing the
handicap Of the conditions, ship as
commercial freight"
Funston Anxious.
IL had been realized for. several days
that some other method than that OF
moving supplies by motor trucks over
sandy route Of more than go miles
would have to be secured unless the ex-
y pedition were TO be placed in jeopardy.
General Funston had waited anxiously
for almost a week for the granting of his
request and meanwhile the forces COM
manded by General Pershing were NOV
ing further and further into the interior
and rapidly placing themselves beyond
reach OF the drivers OF the duartermast-
er's motor trucks.
disappointment OF the staff officers at
headquarters was unconoealed, however.
They had expected the de facto govern
ment of Mexico to give unqualified con-
sent to the use of the Northwestern. The
permission to ship supplies as CONNER
cial freight consignments to some one not
directly connected with the army. and fail
IRE to give the American army the right
o supervise the transportation of it's own
Supplies was regarded as Inadequate.
Manner of Distribution.
The first shipment of supplies WILL be
sent from Juarez to Casas Grandes and
from there distributed by motor and
wagon trains to the detachments that are
beating the trails a hundred and fifty
miles to the south.
1t had been hoped by general Funston
and his staff that Carranza would not
impose conditions I'm which case rolling
stock from the American side would be
moved TO the tracks of the Northwestern
and American railroad men would man
the trains and American guards would
serve as guards for the trains. This
plan. however. has been spoiled by the
conditional permission OF Carranza. Off
GERS were frank in the expression of their
fears that shipments made under the
ordinary rules of traffic would be lost
or dangerously delayed between Juarez
- a =. n
3 out that the track OF the railroads is in
- bad shapes that the management would
have difficulty in obtaining equipment
General Pershlng reported early to-
day the positions of the advanced
columns, but the new positions were not
revealed. Villa, he said, had been re
ported last I'M the Santa Maria valley,
where he was said to be among friends,
who we're making 1t difficult for the
scouts to learn anything regarding his
movements.
VIII Leave Today.
Ell PASO. Tex. March 29.-The first
train bearing supplies to General Persh-
ing's troops at the front will probably
leave Juafez some time tomorrow. I'm
mediateiy on receipt of the news from
Washington that General Carranza had
permitted the use OF the Northwestern
railroad for the transportation Of sup
kplies, final preparations were rushed
by the duartermaster department fol
the forwarding Of forage, food sun
plies and gasoline.
The limitations imposed by Genera
Carranza, combining shipments of good!
sent to concerns in Mexico. who have
contracts with the expeditionary force
caused some disappointment among
army officers. 1t was feared thai
these restrictions coupled with the fac
that military guard could not accom-
pany the trains might seriously hamper
the transmission OF an adequate strean
of supplies.
Lines I'm bad Way.
The Northwestern lines between her,
and Casas Grardes. near which towi
General Pershing has established hi
principal base in Mexico, are admitted,
in a bad way. Almost all the bridges
which spanned the numerous srroyos. o
gulches. between the two towns hav,
been burned by the bands Of brigandi
who have roved through this countr!
during the last two years. Thes,
bridges have not been repaired bu
temporary tracks have been laid on i'm
provised roadbeds in the gulches them
selves. These tracks cannot stand any
heavy traffic and make the progress D
the trains slow.
The equipment of the roads is also poor
mast of the cars being in need Of re
pairs. At the best Of times train leav
ing Juares took eight to ten hours t
negotiate the 16S miles to Casas Grandes
At present members of the quartermas
ter staff believe the trip will not b.
made In less than twenty-five to twenty
five hours.
Means some Improvement.
This however. will be a considerable
Improvement over the time made by tn
motor truck trains operating fron
Columbus
Permission for the full use Of tn
Northwestern railroad would meal
that the border base Of Genera
PershinG's expedition would he shfte,
from Columbus to FL Psso. This ster
however, will not he taken under tn
present circumstances and in any even
it Is planned to continue the motor trucl
trains as at least a supplementary ser'
Ice.
The complete absence OF any definit
news Of the pursuit OF Villa has cause
notable slackening OF interest In tn
chase as far as the border is concerned