New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-10

diers. perhaps $4,000, along the border
or in Mexico, according 70 the best
available figures here. The War De-
partment has declined TO publish actual
numbers, but with the entire mobile
army. except five troops of cavalry. un-
der General Funston's command. in ad-
dition TO the 1000 or more guardsmen
and the several thousand recruits who
are being forwarded TO the regular reg
iments "a fast az they are mustered
in, the United States has considerable
army strung out along the $500 miles
OF the international line.
Calling out the national guard for
the first time under the present militia
law brings UP the fact that. as written,
that act authorizes the President 10
use the state soldiers either within or
without United States territory. The
provision authorizing the use of the
guardsmen as such beyond the border
was held 10 be unconstitutional by for
mer Attorney General Wickersham. IL
never has been passed upon by the Su
preme Court, and President Wilson has
full legal authority TO employ the state
forces beyond the border if he so de-
sires. Only an injunction against the
War Department could prevent it.
viii Enter Nations Service.
BY the terms OF the law the guards
men must be mustered into the service
Of the United States Before they come
under complete control of the Federal
government. Their oaths Of enlistment
TO the various states make the accept
ance of this Federal status obligatory.
fc Of
volunteering involved in the present
situation. The full enrolled strength
of each regiment called out is liable
for service under penalty of court or
court-martial action.
Army officers believe there will be no
difficulty in getting out the full strength.
They anticipate a great squirt OF enlist
ment in the three states because of the
chance for active service.
The regiments now are at peace
strength Under the Interpretation
placed on the law the states are re-
CURED to recruit them Immediately TO
full war strength and 10 send the re-
cruits forward as fast as they are
sworn in.
President Wilson specified no time Of
service in his call. The law authorizes
him 20 do so, but does not make 1t man
datory. The situation on the border is
such that no forecast Of the length of
time they will be needed can be made.
Eliseo Arredondo, Mexican Ambassa-
dor Designate, took TO the State De-
psrtment to-day written statement OF
the information upon which he bases
charges that the Glenn Springs raid
was planned and possibly carried out
from the American side of the line.
Because of this he presented a request
that the United States take additional
precautions on its own side of the
boundary. The Ambassador was in
formed that additional troops already
had been sent and more would follow
should there be need. He expressed
satisfaction at the steps taken and for
mally repudlated in the name Of his
government alarming published state
ments that General Oregon had pre-
scented a demand for the immediate
withdrawal Of the American troops.
With 5000 additional troops under
orders for the Mexican border, Admin
officials felt tonight that i'm
mediately necessary steps had been |
taken to prevent further raiding Of
American border towns by bandits.
Three bases have been established |
for mobilization of the militia Doug |
las, Ariz.; San Antonio, Tex, and CO.
lumbus. N. NJ.
President Wilson and his Cabinet /
discussed the Mexican situation to-day, /
but the President had authorized the /
new troop orders before his advisers /
gathered. General Scott and General |
Funston recommended early in the day |
that additional forces be sent TO the |
border. After an exchange Of tele- |
grams, General Funston suggested that |
the national guard from the three
states named be called out in addition |
to the sending Of all Of the regular in /
fantry TO join his command His sug-
gestion was promptly approved. and or
ders dispatched.