New Britain herald., 1916-04-13
AMERICAN TROOPS
 NOT COMING HOME Washington Asserts They Will Not Be Withdrawn for Present WILL DISREGARD REQUEST
War Dept. Officials Say There is No Evidence to Show Villas Forces Have Been Dispersed, as Carranza Government Claims.

government Claims
 Washington, April 13.-Gen. Car
 rallza, in a note which arrived at his ] embassy here early today, for presen
 ta'1on to Secretary Lansing, asks for
 the withdrawal of American troons from Mexico.
 l It raises a new issue in a situation ! already much cOmpleXed, the outcome ! or winch officials are reticent to pre- 1 dlct until they have gone over the l communication carefully and consid-
 cred what reply the United States will 1 make.
 1 In official quarters it was stated that the American troops will not be with drawn at this time at least and that while the question is being discussed with Gen: Carranza the pusuit of the ! Villa bandits will be rushed with re- neWed vigor.
 secretary Baker of the war depart ment said he was unable to comment upon Carranza'S note because it raised
 questions of administration policy en-
 tirely within the Jurisdiction of the
 president and the state department.
 Although Carranza raised side is- sues, administration officials at their first view of the communication re- Gard the principal contention as be- ing that the object of the punitive ex- petition has been accomplished so far as it can be, and that the Villa bands have been dispersed.
 , Note Unsupported By Evidence.
 War department officials take the view that they have no evidence that the Villa bands have been dispersed because they never have had definite information of their number and that the very nature of the situation gives no evidence that the raiders have been exterminated.
 Some state department officials con- fessed that Carranza's note was not a surprise.
 Counsellor Polk confirmed the statement in the note that when he asked for use of the Mexican railways the reply was "satisfactory," but was coupled with an expression of surprise that the United States had not await ed final approval of the pending pro- toco1 before sending troops across the border.
 1t was declared officially, however, l that no formal protest against the en- try of Gen. Pershing's columns had i been previously made by Carranza.
 When the advance troops crossed l at Columbus, it was officially stated, | Carranza general met them at the bor- | der and made no protest either per- i sonally or on behalf of his govern 1 ment.
 State department officials took the 1 view that .Carranza's note was not a demand for immediate withdrawal of the forces, but an invitation to begin negotiations to limit their stay.
 Counsellor Polk conferred with Ma jor General Scott, chief of staff, and that the negotiations would be handled exclusively by Sec retary Lansing.
 Our Course Justified.
 The despatch of the punitive expe- dition before negotiations of the pro- tocol was characterized by state de- partment officials as perfectly justi- ied' by the correspondence between Secretary Lansing and the Carranza government.
 Senator Lodge, ranking republican )f the foreign relations committee, ,alled at the navy department today, ( put said his visit was not with refer ,nce to the Mexican situation. He de- ,lined to comment upon the Carranza ] 1ote and would not forecast the atti- ude of the senate republicans. The s administration is charged with our ! oreign affairs" he said. l
 Chairman Stone refused to comment V nd communicated With the state de- 'artment. |
 Senator GallinGer, republican lead Il r. said he regarded the Mexican sit U alton in such condition that congress ! hould be consulted on the future curse.
 Secretary Lansing took the view L hat there was absolutely nothing for Q i'm to discuss. i' After a conference with Secretary 'I 'I ansing, chairman Flood of the u ouse foreign affairs committee, said IL nat he saw no necessity for con- \. ressional action as the situation now t' OOd. Il Senator Borah, republican, who Il as been a foremost advocate of U ,rceful action in Mexico, counsellcd e' rudence of speech in congress in scussing the late development r Tt would be unwise for congress 4
 fan any flame until some definite o )urSe is determined" he said u
 War Department Prepared. n It was increasingly evident today that of le war department has cndeaVOred to V; rovidc against possibilities, although " Ilrtc>t secrecy has been observed
 iS understood that in every move to cnt of troops beyond the border and W ong the international line the pOssi- De lity of an attempt to cut off the cX- m edition has been considered and the of ..... tn
 Continued On Ninth Page.) ha