The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-06-25
Relations Between u. S. and
Mexico are Close to Break
ing Point.
FIRST ACT BE FOR
FULL PREPARATION
Border Patrol Will Be
Strengthened Strongly
Than Ever.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Washington, June 24.-Relations
between the United States and the de
facto government of Mexico are close
to the breaking point today as a re-
suit of the apparently we'll founded
belief that two troops of American
cavalry were massacred Wednesday at
CarTizal by Carranza soldiers.
Secretaries Lansing and Baker were
erly at the White House today, confer
ring with the president. 1t is known
that the possibility of drastic retalia-
tory action against the Mexican forces
in Chihuahua was given grave COM
sideraticn, IL the Carranza govern
ment accepts responsibility for the
attack at Carrizal, it is considered
virtually certain by officials that oc-
cupation of most of Northern Mexic
will be ordered by the president to
take place as rapidly as the necessary
military forces can be placed at the
oisposl of Generi Funston.
Action mus wait further reports
from General Pershing. His message
last night, indicating that only seven
Ecen of the two troops of cavalry had
survived in addition TO those taken
prisoner, had not been supplemented
at an early hour.
1t is believed that the first act of
the Washington government when full
information is at hand, will be to de-
mand reputation of the Carrizal at
tack by the Carranza government. Pre-
liminary reports have convinced Off
Gals here that the American troops
were deliberately led into a trap. The
only question remaining to be settled,
it is indicated, is whether the Car
rama government ordered the attack
or it was the work of subordinate
officer.
In the latter event, unqualified re-
pudiation of his act and immediate
surrender of prisoners probably will
be demanded. General Gomez, Car
rama at CarrizaI, was killed in action,
he gave orders to open fire, he has
already paid the penalty for his act.
1t viii require nearly a week, it is
understood, to complete the mobiliza-
ton of the national guard on the Dor
der, to make possible n movement IN
| force beyond the line. The border
patrol must be maintained and
strengthened even if occupation OF
Northern Mexico is undertaken. Amer.
lean lives and property viii be II
! danger. otherwise. and the first pur-
pose of any action will be to safe
guard the towns and ranches along
the intentional line.
Tt is regarded as probable that reg.
ular army regiments now on patro
duty will be promptly relieved by ma
tional guard regiments as they reacl
| the border. The regulars already &C
climated and prepared by months Dor
der work for vigorous campaign
would be concentrated at the point:
from which general advance would b.
begun.
Secretary Baker had no additional
advices from General Funston whe1
he went to the White House. Score
tary Lansing had received dispatcl
from Mexico City announcing that th'
80 Americans in Guanajuanto, he'll
there by lack of transportation, hal
been promised train facilities by th,
Carranza authorities.
| Work of getting Americans out o
Mexico has proceeded rapidly. With
: in week, according to present indi
cations, there will be very few remain
, ing there.
Navy ships are fastening to ever
important port to pick them up. 4
Gordon of ships for this purpose ha
been established on both coaste.