The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-14
Opinion of Senator Stone, Clos
est Man to Wilson.
SUNLESS Withdrawn, Interven-
tiOn Only Alternative"
NO NEWS ON PARRAL CLASH
Pershing Moves Base of Sup
plies Further South.
Several SkirmiShes With Brig
ands Reported to Funston.

Washington. April 14.-In both
houses of congress Mexican develop
ments we're watched closely and there
was undercurrent of sentiment.
chiefly among Republicans, that the
embargo on munitions of war every
where in Mexico should be enforced.
Chairman Stone of the foreign rela
tions committee, after comforting with
Secretary Lansing. said the state de-
partment had information not
made public.
The problem confronting this gov
ernment is how long it would be wise
10 keep an expeditionary force in Mex
ico'' said Senator Stone. Il have
never believed that we would achievt
the capture of Villa. Diaz had a price
on Villas head for years and could
not get him. l do not doubt that Car
rama would like to get him, but he
has been unable to do so. Villa is in
his own country and our soldiers are
in difficult, unknown country. They
have succeeded in breaking some of
Villas bands and have accomplished
something. 1 was strongly in favor of
sending the expedition after Villa
whether it got him not.
But we have recognized the de
facto government in Mexico and
agreed to send an expeditionary force
into Mexico for a certain purpose How
long can we let that army stay in a
foreign country where friction al |
ready exists and where more friction |
is bound to develop2 If we adhere to |
our policy toward Mexico we cannot |
keep the army there. To my mind the |
only alternative to withdrawing the |
troops, sooner or later, is interVen-
ton"
10 Men i'm Bandit Band.
san Antonio, April 14.-Through |
press dispatches General Funston
learned that another slIirmish between |
Mexicans and Americans had occur
red. this latest encounter being that |
prccipitated by the forty mounted men |
who attacked the supply train Tuesday |
night. Midday passed without any |
news from General Pershing. He also |
insisted that that he had received no |
instructions from Washington.
Efforts TO get official information |
from General Pershing were contin- |
ued An aeroplane has Joined in the |
scouting operations undertaken to as |
ceretin the location of Gen. Arnulfo |
Gomez's forces and the route they are |
following.
Attack Supply Train.
General Pershing's Camp at Front, |
April 12-Via Aeroplane to Chihua- |
hua. April 13-Via FL Paso Junction,
April 14.-About forty mounted men, |
believed to be Villa men of General |
Tarang's command. attacked last
night an automobile supply train and |
There were no American casualties |
One Villa bandit was killed.
General Pershing moved his camp |
south yesterday penetrating far into
Villa territory, where he found num-
erous constitutionafist detachments
under General Cara, who gave all the
Americans a friendly greeting and CO.
operation. Aeroplanes which were
first to reach this new front yesterday
had remarkable adventures but all
rafra rcrH falN
ing travelled here in motor train of
supply trucks, which made a record |
breaking trip.
The fight, which occurred about 9
o'clock last night was several miles
in the rear of the automobile carrying
General Pershing and his escort. 1t
lasted about 20 minutes
When the bandits who tried to cap
ture one truck came up, the Ameri-
cans poured in five volleys, which
ended the fight completely There
were two attacks, the first slight one,
and directed against a forward truck
The last attack was rush against
the rear trucks during which bullets
flew against the automobiles and
poured through the brush which COW
cred the mesa
Urge Report on ParraI.
San Antonio. April 14.-Cenerai
Funston was endeavoring early today
to learn from General Pershing the
-
at Parral. Wireless, field telegraph
and every other available means Of
communication have been employed to
get to General Pershing the instruc-
tions to rush to headquarters with all
possible speed a report on the incl
Gent and the measures he has taken to
relieve the little cavalry force that
was forced to fight for its life We'd
nesday night.
UnDroken silence on those subjects
was not taken at headquarters how
ever, to mean that General Pershiny
was unaware of the fight, or that he
was doing nothing to assist the de-
tached and menaced cavalrymel.
General Funston and his staff officers
realized that General Pershing must
first receive from Parral the tory
OF what occurred, and because of his
own location far to the front PERHAPS
beyond the most advanced wireless
station, might have to use couriers i'll
getting the account of the develop
ments of the last As hours back to
the border.
Guarding Line Into Mexico.
. Secretary Bakers instructions had
~ot reached General Funston early to-
but already scouts were inVes-i-
(COntiuued on page Two i