The Washington herald., 1916-03-29
PERSHING FORCE
LACKS GASOLINE
Carranza VIII Be Urged to
Permit Use of Railroad to
Transport Supplies.
QUICK ACTION SOUGHT
Auto Trucks Unable to Render Serv.
ice Because of Need of Motive
Power-Expediion Hampered.

instructions were sent last night to
Special Agent Rodgers at Queretaro to
urge again upon Gen. Carrs MA the need
Of the American forces operating in
Mexico against Villa for permission to
use the Mexican Northwestern Railroad
In transporting supplies from FL Paso to
the military base at Cssas Grandes.
Although Carranza has not directly re-
fused the request, he has held it up pend
ing the negotiations between the two
governments over the proposed protocol.
which is designed to cover all questions
which may arise between the two coun-
tries in connection with their Joint cam
paign against the Villista bandits.
So urgent is the need for the railroads.
however. that Special Agent Rodgers
was instructed to take this question up
separately with Carranza with a request
that immediate action be taken.
Shortage OF Gasoline
or particular concern to the War De-
partment is the need OF gasoline with
which to move the auto trucks used
along the American line of communics-
tons between Casas Grandes and Column
bus. n. Mex. and with which to operate
the aeroplanes. While the plans Of the
department have been laid so that the
auto trains could take the place of the
railroads in transporting most of the sup
plies. without the gasoline the trucks
cannot operate.
IN this connection one Of the Repub-
licsn Senators yesterday afternoon re-
ceived from Senator Fail Of New Next
leo. who is at FL Paso, a long telegram
explaining the situation in detail. After
it had been passed around the Republi-
can cloak room, Senator Gallinger. of
New Hampshire, the minority leader.
took It to the War Department and laid
II before Secretary OF War Baker. Mel
ther the secretary nor Senator Gallinger
would discuss it, nor make the text pub
lie. Senator Fall having suggested in the
telegram that ii should not be given out
Regardless OF this. however. the gen
eral contents of the message became
known. Senator Fall explained that
Pershing had entered into a contract with
an American firm near Casas Grandes tc
supply him with necessities. including
gasoline. He had purchased the entire sup
ply of gasoline which the firm had on
hand. The concern then purchased in the
United States an additional supply
amounting to three tank-car loads.
When the tank-cars reached FL Paso
however, Gen. Gavira, commanding the
Carranza Garrison at Juarez. refused tc
permit them to go over the Mexican
Northwestern to Cas,s Grandes, explain
ing that ne had been 80 instructed by
Gen. Carranza. In consequence of this
Pershing is facing a complete shortage OF
gasoline, without which ii will be almost
impossible for him to extend his line OF
Communica tons.
Officials of the State Department yes
terday afternoon were frankly dubious
over the prospect of getting q quick re.
Spouse from Carranza to the new re-
quest
In connection with conditions along the
border. Senator Fall stated in his tele-
gram that while there was some fear
among the Americans in FL Psso Of an
attack from across the Rio Grsnde. he
did not believe the fears were justified
He added, however, that owing to the
presence in Ell Paso OF some 5000 Mex.
leans many of whom were former
Villista sympathizers, there was danger
of incendiary fires being started.