Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-18
ARMY NOT ORDERED
T00CCUPY CITIES
Officials Here Insist Such a
Cause for Friction Will
Not Arise.
FUNSTON SEEKS PERMIT
TO USE THE RAILROADS
Would Expedite Shipment Of Sup
plies to Army in Pursuit of
Villa Bandits.

American troops pursuing Villa
and his bandits have no intention
and no orders to occupy any cities
or towns during their march into
Mexico.
This was stated at the White
House and War Department to-
day after the receipt of a report
that Gen. Gavira, the Carranza
commander at Juarez, had given
notice that Gen. Pershing's troops
would not be allowed to occupy
Casas Grandes or other towns.
Not Like an Invasion.
1t is declared by administration off,
Gals that the pursuit Of Villa. being
entirely punitive expedition, had none
of the characteristics of an invasion.
and that there was no object in occu-
pying towns or cities, because the
American troops will keep constantly
on the move.
The State Department today received
from Gen. Funston, through the War
Department. a request to arrange with
the de facto government for permis-
sion to ship by rail from Ell Paso sup
Mi tn
Mexico. The matter will be immedi
ately taken up with the de facto gov
ernment probably through Elisip Ar
redondo, Mexican ambassador desig-
mated here. 1t is believed the Mexican
government will make no objection to
such an arrangement.
To Ask Carranza's Consent.
BY shipping supplies as far as pos
sible by railroad Gen. Funston will
be able to surmount the difficulties of
automobile transportation over the,bar-
rem country to the south of Ell Paso.
Gen. Funston's request will be for
warded to Gen. Carranza at once with
the suggestion that the de facto gov
ernment. which owns the controlling
stock of the road, permit the use Of line
in accordance with the request.
State Department officials were in
formed by counsel for Mr.. Carranza
today that the request in all probabi
ity would be granted. Only one condi-
ton. it was said. might prevent the de
facto government from acceding to the
request, that being the uncertainty of
public opinion in Mexico when it be-
came known that the Carranza govern
ment had consented to the use of the
road by the United States Army.
Uneasiness at Tampico.
officials said today that the situation
at Tampico. where uneasiness is said to
exist among Americans and other for
eigners, had no bearing on the pursuit
of Villa.
Reports received at both the War and
State departments today continued to
be optimistic.
Secretary Baker early today issued
the following statements:
THE reports received directly through
military channels. and those sent to
this department from other depart
ments of the government, indicate quiet
along the entire border. except some
excitement at Tampico. which is ap-
parently temporary and without cause.
There are no reports of the opera
tions of the expedition available for
publication"
The Secretary said he would leave
Washington this afternoon for his
home at Cleveland, Ohio. and would not
return here until Tuesday morning. In
his absence Maj. Gen. Hugh L. Scott,
chief of staff, will be acting secretary
of war.
Flocking to Vera Cruz.
Navy Department reports today from
Vera Cruz say about 200 Americans
from Mexico City and other lterior
points have arrived there, most of
them acting upon advices from friends
and relatives in the United States urg-
ing them to leave Mexico. Conditions
at Vera Cruz, the message says, are
quiet. and many of the Americans, aft
erpers onal investigation of reports as
to the situation. are returning to the
interior.
Navy officials today continued to re-
iterate that movements of ships and ma
rines had no concern with the Mexican
situation.
They said the department was unad-
vised of the return of the battleship
Kentucky to New Orleans after she had
sailed for Vera Cruz and that they knew
nothing of report that the ship was
going to Pensacola to load marines.
The naval transport Hancock is load
ing marines at Philadelphia for Pensa-
cola.