The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1916-03-17
TROOPS ORDERED
ACROSS BORDER
CAPTURE VILLA DEAD OR ALIVE
10 PREslDENTe ORDER TO
WAR DEPARTMENT.
Announced That Sending Of Sol.
diers Into Mexico ls Entirely In
Aid Of Government and With
out Thought Of Aggression.

| w Ju6 66oulI VI
Panco Villas latest attack upon Am
erican citizens, American troops were
| ordered across the border on Friday
| by President Wilson, with instruc-
lions to take Villa and his bandits,
dead or alive.
Under the direction, If not actually
the leadership, of Major General Funs-
ton, who ended the Philippine insur-
Fection by taking Aguinaldo single
handed, American columns have been
sent into Mexico. They go to meet
about 5000 guerilla troops In a noun
famous region from which Carranza
troops have fed. No less than 5000,
probably more, will comprise the
American expedition.
Whether this long deferred armed
action, which begins purely as a pun
tive measure to clear northern Mex
leo of menacing bandit bands over
which General Carranza has no con-
troll, shall grow into general armed
Intervention or occupation Of Mexico,
depends in a large measure upon Gen
eral Carranza and the Mexican peo-
pie.
1t begins with President Wilson's
declaration that it is entirely in aid
of the CarranZa government and with
out thought of aggression. This state
ment, prepared by the president him
self, was given out at the White
House:
An adequate force will be sent at
once in pursuit of Villa, with the sin
gle object of capturing him and put
ting stop to his forays.
This can be done and will be done
in entirely friendly aid of the consti-
tuted authorities In Mexico, and with
scrupulous respect for the sovereign
ty Of the republic.
President Wilson's decision to de-
part from the policy of watchful wait
ing, fastened by the Columbus mas
sacre Thursday, was announced Fri
day after 1t had been unanimously ap-
proved by the cabinet and administra-
ton leaders in congress.
The presidents position was ex-
planned fully to the latter, who agreed
that he should not be embarrassed at
this time by discussions of a minority
which might arouse trouble in Mexico,
Former Secretary Garrison, ia |
miliar with the army's plans by his |
association with the crisis of two |
years ago, came to Washington and |
offered his services to aid his sue
cessor. They were at once accepted
and Mr.. Garrison went into conference
with Secretary Baker at the war de-
partment.
General Carranza, in a telegram I'd
the state department, expressed regret
at the Columbus massacre, but made
no comment on the proposal of send
Ing American troops to hunt down
The bandits. Eliseo Arredondo, his
here, was officially in.
'ormed Of the American governments
action. He only replied that he would
communicate with his chief. He had
previously expressed the personal
opinion that the movement would not
20 opposed.
State department officials declined
o say what their attitude would be il
General Carranza took a hostile posi-
ion. They said the United States
would settle that question when it
rose. If an offer of cooperation OF
;arranza troops is made, they said,
could hardly be refused.
No orders have been given to the
avy. The feet, with more than TO-
90 biuejackets and marines available
Or landing duty, is on the winter
rilling ground off Guantanamo, with
easy sailing distance of Mexican
'aters, should anti-American demon
trations or uprisings endanger Amer
'ans or other foreigners.