The midland journal., 1917-02-02
PERSH|NG ORDERED
OUT OF MEXICO
Entire Command To Recross
Into United States.
ADVANCE UNITS STARTED
Regulars Will Relieve State Troops
At Border and Be Held In
Readiness To Pursue
Bandits.

Washington. = Withdrawal of the
American military expedition in Mex
leo was ordered by the War Depart
ment, and by the end of the week the
entire command, after 10 months on
Mexican soil, probably will have re-
crossed into the United States.
The order went to General Funston,
in command at the border. and left to
his discretion the exact time of start
ing the northward movement and the
details of carrying it out. For several
weeks he has known of the Admins
tration's determination to order the
troops back to the border and under
his discretion the expedition has been
concentrated for the long march.
At the border the regulars will re-
lieve a considerable portion, if not all
Of the National Guardsmen remaining
on duty there. Already about $4,000
of the State troops in the border patrol
have been ordered home, and their
movement probably will be under way
by the time Pershing's men arrive on
American soil.
To Let carranza Go Own Way.
Although officials have been silent
on the subject of Mexico since the fail
ure of the joint commission negotla-
tions, developments outwardly have
coupled the troop withdrawal with Car
ranza's refusal to accept the Atlantic
City protocol and have plainly fore
cast an intention to let the First Chief
settle for himself hereafter the many
problems endangering the tenure of
the de facto Government
A patrol considered adequate to pro-
tect the border will be maintained
rigidly, however, and notice has been
served on Carranza that the United
States will not hesitate to use its
armed force again, if necessary, to
protect American territory and Ameri-
can rights. The Americans on the
Joint commission told their Mexican
colleagues at Atlantic City that this
Government never would relinquish
the right Of unlimited and unrestrained
pursuit of bandits guilty of border
depredations.
That Pershing's command, sent into
Mexico last March to disperse the ban
dts who raided Columbus, will be re-
grouped at the border and put into a
condition OF preparedness for a re-
eurrence OF raiding is not doubted
here, and in that connection army Off
GERS are observing with keen interest
the preparations being made by Villa
and his followers and allies to debate
the territory that Pershing will
vacate.
Next U. S. Move Kept Secret.
All the recent moves in the Mexican
situation, however, and all those in
contemplation are kept under cover
by the officials shaping the course of
the Administration. After Carranza
sent back the Atlantic City protocol
without his signature it was made
known that when the time came for
the next step it would be taken with
out announcement, and that the future
policy of the Administration would be
revealed only as it was translated into
action.
1t is known, however, that President
Wilson's determination to withdraw
the troops followed closely upon the
failure of Carranza to ratify the agree
ment entered into at Atlantic City,
and that Mr.. Wilson indorsed the
American Commissioners recommen-
dations that he act Independently on
the question of withdrawal, and adopt
a policy of purely formal rather than
altruistic treatment of Carranza