Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-03-13
SECRECY SCREENS All
or ITNSTON'S MOVEMENTS


washington. March Secrecy
regarding General Funst0n's plans for
moving AGAINST villa and his bandits
has been rieidly enforced at the war
department and even high officials
Of The government are IN doubt as 10
whether American troops actually had
crossed the Mexican border
Secretary Baker announced late to-
night that the Twcnty-third infantry
now az Galveston, Texas, had been
ordered to III Paso because of fear
of Mexican attacks felt IN many towns
along the border. The regiment
about 1000 strong, win be stationed
at points designated hy General runs
ton.
Secretary Not Informed.
Tho order 20 the Twenty third the
secretary said, was the only import
ant development OF the day of which
the department had any knowledge
and that nothing had come from
General Funston or from any other
source indicating TINT the advance
guard OF the cNpedltionafy force was
already on Mexican soil lie said
he would make known the fact that
the expedition was on iis way Just as
COON as the news reached him.
Questioned as 70 the messages that
had come. the secretary admitted that
there was nothing directly denying
reports that The border had been
crossed. Ho said he had nothing 70
add 10 or detract from his previous
statement that General Funston had
fun authority 10 proceed whenever he
was ready. The secretary emphasiz-
cd the fact that any steps taken by
the army would be in fun recognition
Of Mexican sovereignty.
Wilson on Way Home.
When President Wilson returns TO
Washington tomorrow morning after
a Weekend outing on the yacht May
flower he viii take up with Seero-
iary Lansing at once the note from
General Carranza received yesterday
requesting permission for the de fac
to government troops to pursue ban
dts into American territory should
the need arise. Administration Of
ficials anticipate that prompt an
swer will be sent to General Carran-
"a. They believe It will be satisfac-
tory TO the de facto government.
All important developments of the
day were transmitted to the Mayflow-
Il md tonight for
the presidents information.
Both the White House and war de-
partment were again flooded today
with offers of service by prospective
volunteers Mr.. Baker repeated TO
all inquirers his statement that no
call upon the national guard or for
volunteers Is contemplated.
Instructions to Funston.
The general instructions to Cen
eral Funston, II iB understood, hay
stress upon the necessity of impress
fnn Mexicans on both sides of the bor-
der with the fact that the United
suites Is Interested only IN defending
IT'S own BORDERS and that troop move
monts now IN progress or contemplate
I'd have no other object lnatruc-
TONS are explicit It Is said. to cap
turo or dispense the bandits and re-
turn TO United states territory imme-
dately.
orders calculated TO complete III
detail every arrangement for the
movement of the American forces ln-
10 Mexico have been issued by off
GERS OF the general staff Nothing has
been omitted in the program recon-
monded by General Funston
Major General Taslter II. Bliss
chief of mobile army division, inform.
lea Secretary Baker today that ma
chnery had boon perfected to meet
amy contingency that might arise
+ similar reports came from the ad-
iutant general, the Inspector general
the quartermasier general the sur
econ general. the chief OF ordnance
and the other divisional officials.
Every move by the department e
expedite tho presidents order ha
boon cloakcd in secrecy IN accordance
With General Funstuns suggestion
sunday was day of activity for th'
first time since the mobilization o
= tho army on the Mexican border iw'
Ycars ago. Secretary Baker spent ih'
day comforting with officials of tn
general staff Direct Geographic com
municauon between the deparimen
and the border was established
Officials reiterated expressions @
confidence that the forces alread
jmong the border would be sufticicn
to carry out the campaign It wa
said that no additional orders TO
! troops TO proceed TO the border woul
ho Issued. at least for the present. tn
three cavalry regiments ordered sout
would constitute the only movemer
! Of troops from the interior posts an
less thu present arrangcmcnts Wel
altered should General Funston as
fer additional forces, however, tn
rih cavalry stationed at Fort Myc
J VA. Fort l4eaNcnworth, KAN an
= Fort sheridan. H. Will be sent IN
: mcdlatcN orders already have bee
given to the commanding officers I
! this regiment TO hold themselves
| readiness TO move.