South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-07-01
Screen of Secrecy is Thrown
About Movements and
Stations of Mill
tia Forces.
REGULAR u. S. TROOPS
VIEW MEN WITH MIRTH
Officers Prepare Sites and ES-
tabIiSh Temporary Head
quarters For Many
GuardSmen.
International News Service:

Ell PASO, Texas, July l.-Mlllua
forces have begun TO reach the Dor
der. Direct orders of Sec'y Of War
Baker threw a screen of secrecy
about the movements of the troops
ard forbade the publication of the
number and disposition of the state
guardsmen, but it can be stated that
New England forces were the first
To reach the border.
The arrival of the militia was pre-
coded by the coming of so officers to
prepare camp sites and report their
strength and equipment to Gen.
George Bell, jr.. commander at Fort
Bliss.
The first camp site already has
been selected by the regular army
officers II was pitched within easy
rifle range of Fort Bliss. on a stretch
OF gaunt land where the sun beats
its hottest and the suffocating wind
from the hills is the only relief dur
ing the blistering day.
Watch Arrival.
The regulars who turned out to
watch with a paternal and perhaps a
twinkling eye the arrival of the
suardsmen were surprised at the
spirit of their younger brothers in
arms. Although the desert sun was
early at its scorching work, the
militiamen swung along uncomplain-
ing under full packs with rifles cor
rectly aslant and anxious for service.
With the arrival of the militia the
plans for the invasion Of Mexico by
another expedition m r h n &
through Juarez may be said to be
near completion and their fulfilment
rests only with the command from
Washington. With the full force of
militiamen assigned TO this district
here. there will be ample protection
for the border points in the FL Paso
districts and the maintaining of a
border patrol that will strengthen
weak points all along the border.
The first OF the militia officers,
who arrived last night took up tenn
porary headquarters at Ell Paso no.
tells but they showed that they were
not going TO attempt 90 continue the
soft" when they turned out at day
break and Joined their men in
camp. Today the hotel headquar-
tiers will disappear and the militia
men will come under the same gem
eraI order as the regular army Off
GERS strictly within the boundaries
OF their camps ready for instant &C
ton.
Assign Militia.
The work of assigning the militia
to particular posts along the border
will be started as soon as the men
| have had a chance TO become accli-
mated.
The fear is growing here that Car
ranza's delay in replying TO the
! American note is for the purpose of
/ allowing his. commanders 10 place
their troops in strong positions
| about Gen. Pershing's expedition
army force.
Pershing. IL is reported, has
! drawn in his forces 70 be ready 10
Withstand with an estimated force OF
/ between 10000 and $1,000 men the
attack OF Cara nzistas said to num-
I Der 10000. Each passing hour
strengthens the Carranza force along
the Mexican central line through
/ Sierra Blanca. Villa Ahumada and
/ MOctezuma TO Chihuahua City.
Mexican officials in Juarez boast that
! there are 10. 600 Carranza soldiers at
/ Villa Ahumsda and declare that the
Americans don't dare to attempt TO
attack them.
From Columbus came censored re-
/ ports that truck trains were stopped
tor 26 hours after American scouts
had brought word OF the massing Of
Mexican soldiers all along the COM
munication line. Shipping has been
reported in the rocky passes through
which the truck trains must pass 20
reach the headquarters Of the expe-
\ d ton
But the delay OF Carranza Is also
giving the militia time ~ reach the
] border.