New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-25
Cabinet Decides National
Guard Is Not Yet Needed
on Border.
WILL APPLY GAG
TO ARMY OFFICERS
Administration Believes State
ments by Them Increase
Present Dangers.
tFrom n. Trlhrr, Rur,su.l

Washington. March 24.-The Wilson
Administration reached to-day three
important decisions with regard to the
Mexican situation:
Not to increase the forces on the
border to a strength sufficient TO cope
with a break with Carranzs or a gen
eral REVOLT of his troops there.
To prevent any discussion OF the
dangers OF the situation IN Congress,
so far as possible.
To gag the officers on the border,
whose reports and sta ements have
caused the demand for reinforcements
and have been the basis OF most Of the
unrest in Congress.
This does not mean that the Admin
istration believes there is no danger on
the border. Il il entirely unable to
conceal the fact that reports are
reaching it from many sources of con-
slant danger Of conflict between
Carrauza and American forces. There
are many reasons 20 fear that even If
Carranza IS playing fair, and con-
tinues 20 do so. he may become I'M
able to prevent offensive action by
some OF his converted bandit leaders in
the north
The Administration believes that
this danger would be increased by any
now show Of force along the border.
Both the personal wishes Of the Presi-
dent and the political honor of the
Administration are staked on avoiding
any admitted Intervention in Mexico or
war with its recognized authorities.
Hence the decision 10 take the risk Of
keeping the American forces at the
minimum while the Mexican concentra-
ton along the frontier goes on.
Screws Put on Senate.
II il for the same reason, avowedly,
that the Administration put the screws
Oh the Senate to-day, when Senator
Stone, as its spokesman, denounced in
bitter language all those who laid be-
fore the Senate any facts or sugges-
tions as 10 the situation. IL was TO
prevent attacks on It's policy, which are
sure 20 follow If the facts become
known to the public with any official
authority, that II was decided TO gag
the officers on the border.
The question Of calling out militia
to take the places o. regulars now pa
trolling the border, thus releasing the
latter for sVryice in Mexico, was DIS
cussed al the Cabinet meeting to-day
and decided in the negative. lt was
stated that the question would be
taken up again in case large bodies OF
Carranza troops went over 70 Nllla.
At least a week would elapse before
any important bodies of the national
guard could arrive on the border.
The determination TO muzzle the Off
GERS was announced by nigh Official
mar M D.
Of trying TO force Intervention through
the publication Of disquieting dis
patches based on officers statements.
Wen put a stop to that" was his
statement.
81 believe large part Of these
stories originate in the minds of in
terested persons who desire interven-
ton" Secretary Lansing said. He add
ed that they could have no other pur-
pose than TO inhame the minds OF the
Mexican people.
Bell Thought Indiscreet.
General Bell had declared at FL
Paso Yesterday that he was convinced
OF Herrera's revolt. This utterance Is
officially held here to have been highly
indiscreet and inimical TO the cause of
friendship between the United States
and Mexico, and measures will be
taken at once TO gag army officers,
preventing them from giving out any
news not sanctioned from Washington.
The Administration steadfastly re-
fuses 20 place the blame for the false
rumors on the heads Of Administra-
ton officials here. When the so-called
"inhammatory" reports Of Herrera S
alleged revolt were being telegraphed
/ from the border to the press through
( out the United States last night Secre-
/ tary Of War Baker had dispatch
| from the American Consul at Chi
/ hushua which said that stories of
/ iIerrera's revolt were wholly Unbound
ed. This dispatch was not made pub
| lie until this afternoon.
II is the Administration intention
/ il possible, 10 control the news con-
corning the Mexican expedition and IA
permit the publication only of such in
/ formation as it believes will further It's
| own strategy.
An Administration official declared
/ to-day that publication of any report
/ concerning Mexico which was denied
By the State Department could have
only one purpose to make trouble ans
force intervention II was frankly de-
clared that patriotic newspapers
| should refrain from printing state
ments made by army officers who did
not have a Grst-hand knowledge oil
their information.