The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-06-03
FUNSTON WANTS
MORE SOLDIERS
But the War Department Re.
fuses to Ser d the Coast
Artillery South.
ASKS FOR MORE MILITIA, TOO
Movement of Mexican Forces Towards
North Causes American Com
mander to File Request

San Antonio, Tex, Nay 25.-Gen-
eral Funston's request for more coast
artillery, il is understood here, has
been refused by the War Department
The additional units of the regular
army and the militia of the three Dor
der states have enabled him TO
strengthen materially the patrols
along the long border, but even with
that added force there remain many
weak points, it is said, and it was TO
protect them that ne asked for more
companies of coast artillery General
Funston refused TO confirm the re-
port, but it was indicated at his head
quarters that he had replied to the
| departments refusal by a request
that more militia be sent to him
Militia TO Stations
The militia now in camp here viii
start moving towards the border to-
morrow. The first regiment to go viii
be the Second Texas, with headquar-
| tiers at Brownsville. This will be fol-
! lowed by a regiment moving Saturday
to Eagle Pass and two days later an
| other regiment viii enter the Browns
vile district. Brig Gen. John A HUI
| len of the Texas militia will be sta
/ toned at Brownsville
Reports from General Pershing to-
day indicated no sharp developments,
1 but reports from him and from other
sources reflected the activity OF Mexi-
can troops In strong numbers the
Mexicans were reported moving to
stations nearer the frontier, but there
was nothing to indicate that the mo-
! tive was other than TO establish over
Northern Mexico an effective police
! force. General Funston and his staff
| have kept themselves closely inform
ed, however, Of the Mexican move
ments.
Funston Request Stands.
Late tonight it was stated at head
quarters that General Funston origi-
naIly asked the War Department for
the national guard regiments OF Arr
IONA, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana,
Arkansas and Oklahoma Later the
request was renewed and the militia
| Of the three border states was or
| dered- 1t is, understood the request
| still stands for the other troops. 1t
| is considered possible they viii be
modified, at least a part of them, to
serve on the border in lieu of coast
artillery, which could not be allowed
Washington, May 24-Reports to
both state and war departments today
further indicates the plans OF the Car
rama government to vigorously prose
cute pursuit Of the Chihuahua outlaw
band, while the American forces re-
main comparatively quiet
Closely following news of the with
drawal from Mexico of the second
American punitive expedition, sent
from Boquil1as, Tex, under Colonel
Sibley and Major Langhorne, infOrma-
ton reached the state department
| that General Obregon has ordered
| O,00O troops to engage in the bandit
hunt in Chihuahua and the Big Bend
district.
| Stirring Up Natives.
NamiQuipa, Mex, May 24.-The Car
| rama garrison at MADEIRA is engaged
in spreading reports calculated to stir
/ up the populace against the AmeTi-
cans, according TO a report received
here today from that place. No clash
| es have been reported, however, be
tween members of rhe expedition and
Mxicans. Meantime the expedition is
patrOlling only a limited distance TO
| the south, Carranza troops keeping
aloof from the American attachments.
SibIey at Marathon
Marathon, Tex, May 24.-Col- Fred
erick W. Sibley, commander Of the
troops comprising the expedition sent
into Coahuila, accompanied by several
stan officers, reached here late this
afternoon from Deemer's Ford in an
automobile. Major George T Lang
| horne remained behind with the
Eighth cavalry troops preparatory TO
coming north
The purpose Of Colonel Sibley's visit
| to Marathon was TO arrange for the
transfer of his command TO several
| points, principally Del Rio and Eagle
Pass Colonel Sibley intends 10 es-
tablish headquarters at Eagle Pass.