New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
Troops Expected to
Reach the Border i'm
About a Week
FEAR OF VILLA
RAID INTIMATED
Return of Regulars to Re-
lease Guardsmen Now
on Patrol Duty

Washington, Jan. 2o.-Ine MAJ
act Of the entrance into Mexico OF
$4,000 American soldiers as a re-
suit of the Villa massacre OF seven
teen Americans at Columbus, n. NJ,
on March 9, 1916, was written to-
day with official announcement by
the War Department that General
Pershing had been ordered, and act
ually had started, to bring his troops
back to the United States.
Secretary Baker issued the fol-
lowing announcement:
General Pershing has beert
ordered to bring his troops out OF
Mexico. The movement is 10 bs
an immediate one, and is probs-
bly, already under way.
Later advices TO the departments
said that the troops already had be-
gun the evacuation Of Colonia Dub
Ian, 110 miles from the border,
where they had been concentrating
during the last few weeks. The last
American soldier is expected TO re-
cross the border in about week.
No official information is at hand as
10 whether Villa or CsrrsnZa troops
will occupy the territory left vacant by
the Americans.
Think villa Will Take Site
The belief is strong here that ths
bandit, who is credited with at lesst
5000 we'll armed men, and who 10 nov
at least four times as strong as when
the American troops went across the
border, will make a desperate effort to
take the territory, particularly for its
moral effect.
The two other phases Of the Mexican
problem on which interest centres now
are the disposition Of the more than
fifty thousand militia still on the bor-
der and the sending Of Ambassador
Fletcher TO his post at Mexico City.
Officials say no decision has been
reached in either of these question:
but that both are dependent on the
turn Of events in Mexico.
At least a part Of the remaining
Guardsmen are expected 70 be ordered
home as soon as the $4,000 now leaving
have been moved out Of the way and
Pershing's regulars have been redls-
tributed 10 provide adequate protection
for the border, perhaps in three weeks
time.
Pershing's withdrawal will enable
much smaller force 70 guard the oof-
der, as large support has been essen
tial 70 his long line of communications.
Fear TO Rely on Csrranzs
The delay in sending Ambassador
Fletcher is due to the Administrators
hesi. .ncy to accord that degree OF rec
ognition to the Csrranza government,
which is felt not only 10 have been
none too friendly. but also to be seri-
ously endangered by Villa, Zapata and
other bandit activities, as we'll as oy
the extremely weak economic condi-
tions in the country.
The Pershing Withdrawal will be car
ried out with as much speed as pos
sible over the rough, waterless section.
and it is hoped that the men will cover
about fifteen miles day. Railroads
will not be used, even for carrying sup
plies, as IL is not desired to run any
chance OF raids by Villa or TO incur
any obligation =, Carranza.
Preparations for withdrawal have
been going on for some time, it was ad
mitted to-day. with the calling in OF
outposts and the taking OF steps to pro-
toct friendly Chinese and Mormons
flom punishment by the Me1icsns. No
announcement could be made, il was
added, before the actual march was un-
der way, as II WAS feared some unex-
pected event might come up which
would require further delay and en-
barrassing explanations 20 South
American countries which have been
watching every step in the crit cal
situation with the utmost interest
With the last American soldier out Of
Mexico the Mexican problem can be
viewed in a new light. From now on IL
will not be possible for CarranEa 20
meet American demands with counter
demands for the withdrawal Of the
troops.