The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-07-21
'Copyright.l
A LONG STAY IN MEXICO
IS NOW MOST LIKELY
Supplies and Winter Clothing GO For
ward to Pershing's Base in Mexico.
Making Border "Raid-Proof."

San Antonio, Tex.-StrOnger indica.
tions that the United States govern
ment is determined to hold fast in
Mexico and along the border is afford
ed by this weeks developments.
For one thing, Major General Funs-
ton announced that twelve carloads of
supplies had gone forward from Juarez
to Brigadier General Pershings expe-
dictionary force. For another thing, 1t
is understood that winter clothing has
been ordered for the troops. A third
factor appeared with the rumor that
heavier field guns had been ordered
sent to Ell Paso. A fourth factor was
the announcement that the packing
houses of San Antonio, which are be-
ing counted upon to supply the troops
with beef and pork during their stay
in Mexico and along the border, have
begun to make arrangements to in
crease their capacities.
The shipment of supplies to General
Pershing's command was the first TO
go forward by rail since the United
States government placed an embargo
upon shipments of all kinds to Next
can purchasers. In retaliation for this
embargo the Mexican authorities for
babe the Americans to use the Mexi-
can railroads to transport supplies to
the expeditionary force, and all provi-
sions had to be sent from Columbus,
N. NJ, by motor trucks. Immediately
upon the lifting of the embargo on all
supplies for Mexican purchasers, with
the exception of munitions, the au-
thorities of the de facto government
reciprocated by granting the American
authorities permission to use the Mex
lean railroads to send supplies to Gen.
eral Pershing's men.
Steps designed to make the Big Bend
'ountry "raid-proof' were continued
by General Funston this week. He
has received information from General
CASTOR as to the number of troops re-
quired to give the region adequate pro-
lection, but the strength of the rein
forcements to be sent has not been
made public 1t is understood, how.
ever, that most Of the additional
troops will be taken from the contin.
gents yet to report for border service,
so as to avoid disrupting the assign.
ments already made. But it is regard
ed as probable that few of the state
troops already stationed at Ell Paso
will be shifted eastward in case a raid
should become imminent. Colonel Gas.
tons command in the Big Bend coun.
try is now composed of two regiments,
the Sixth Cavalry and the Fourth Tex.
as Infantry. This force is regarded as
inadequate to protect the region, even
If minor raids should be attempted
General Funston and members OF
his staff are manifesting intense inter.
est in the reports as to Villas opera.
tons. Military men are agreed that
If the bandit chieftain has cut Car.
ranzas line of communication south OF
Chihuahua he has gained the whip.
hand and that consequently his forces
may be increased materially by deser-
tons from the armies of the de factc
government, as economic conditions in
Mexico have become such that the
leader who offers most in the way Of
food and pay is most likely to have
the largest following. That Villa may
regain control of Northern Mexico is
regarded among the possibilities.