The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-15
Funston Keeps Plans Sec
ret: Washington
in Dark.
ESCORT TO MORMONS
REFUSED BY MEXICANS
Americans Flee chihuahua
City-Acuna Pleased
Silliman Wires.

WAsHiSGroN, March lt.--with an in
creased army at the Presidents disposal
for the pursuit OF villa. the movements
Of the army Of invasion remain a mys-
terry in Washington.
Gen. Funston. II was explained at the
War Department. has full authority to
begin operations as soon as he sees it,
and IL not expected TO inform Wash
lngton until after he moves.
Although every effort is being made
BY the Administration to m!nimise the
talk OF serious complications growing
out of the Mexican expedition. steps are
being taken to hasten action ON the army
and navy preparedness bills.
Late this evening dispatches we're re-
ceived from the border and sent from
the War Department to Secretary Baker.
who was attending a musicale at the
White House. They were not made
public. but IL was stated that they did
not report movement into Mexico.
The state Department made public the
following telegram from United states
Consul Siiliman. sent from Queretaro
last night. concerning the presentation
by him to Foreign Secretary Acuna OF
secretary Lansings note Of yesterday
accepting tho Carranza proposals OF re-
c.procal border crossing privileges FOR
the American and Carranzista forces:
"Reply OF the United States TO the
de facto Governments note Of March 10.
Columbus border situation. received AT
o'clock this afternoon. Personally pre-
sented this iinportan, communication 70
Foreg gn Secretary Acuna At 3 80 p NJ.
He read same In my presence and after
ward stated:
4. =. Note Pleases Acuna.
"I am pleased 70 receive a reply Of
this character from the Government of
the United states. II will relieve the
very delicate situation that has de-
veioped owing to the Columbus affair. l
viii, Immediately transmit this reply 10
the Chief Executive ard am OF the
opinion that there will be reply TO this
courteous note expressing appreciatson
of the came In this event I shall de-
liver II 10 you Immediately for trans
| initial 70 the Government of the Cniteo
States
1T was plainly evident that the reply
created a most favorable impression
Reports from the border that tnc
Mexican authorities at Juarez had
asked that the movement of American
forces be postponed for two weeks In
| order to allow the CarranIa forces an
| opportunity TO capture villa without
American interference received no con-
I iirination. eitller at the state or war
Department Administration officials
! express sed the opinion that II would NOT
be complied with II made. Al the state
Department II WAS declared enphat'cally
that no suggestion had been made to the
{ President. or to the War Department.
that action be postponed.
Delay for Preeastion.
Army officials here explain the delay
entirely on the assumption that Gen.
Funston desires before entering Mexico
TO take every precaution. not only 70
insure plenty OF supplies getting to his
, troops. but In order 10 distribute his
forces remaining on the border In such
way as 10 guard against any pos
/ .ble attack from the Mexican side. or
any repetition by villa Of his raids on
unprotected American towns
In other official circles the sugges-
tion Is made tha, !nasmuch as villa is
probably far south. in the State Of CHI
huahua and the trail is already cold
anyway. Gen. Funston IL justified In de-
laying the movement until al precau-
lions have been taken.
N is regarded as practically certain
that the expedition will o. necessity
have 90 divide up into small dctachments
in It's efforts 70 round up the bandits
should the Carranza troops, reported
10 h. operating from the south. ma
,er!al'ze and actually go after Villa, II Is
thought likely he will beat back toward
the border. where he can bc met by
the American forces,
/ Cabinet Holds Meeting.
There was IA meeting Of the Cabinet
! to-day At which the situation was gen
! erally discussed, without, however. any
! chnug, being mad. In the plans, Prior
to the meeting the President conferred
with Senator stone. chairman Of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
I and with acting Secretary Of state Polk
Reports from various parts Of Mexico
show little alarm among Americans.
At the same time the department Is
( taking all possible steps to yet A,neri-
cans out Of towns IN northern Mexico
TIL. Depa artment was Informed to-day
that a train carrying thrty-fvc Amer,-
cans was supposed to leave chihuahua
C!,y this morning. Twenty Americans
In the town and seventeen others In the
immediate vicinity have refused to leave
and Consul Letcher indicates there Is
practically no unrest In the city.
A reply was received from Gen
Gavira. commander Of the Carranza gar
rison at Juarez. to the request Of the
department for an adequate force tC
escort the 500 American MormOns al
Casas t;randes to the border. Gen
Gavira stated that he did not have the
force available.