Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-02-20
ALL STATE SOLDIERS
NOW ON THE BORDER
ARE ORDERED HOME
War Department InStruCtS De-
mobilization of Entire Ma
tionaI Guard Force in Fed
eraI Service
~ As.noiatad Press.N

WASHINGTON. Feb. I7.--Orders were
issued by the war department today di-
recting General Funston to begin the i'm
mediate rehabilitation of all the guarl
units remaining i'm border camps and 1t
is expected that the hast troop train will
lie on it's way north by March Z.
General Funston still will have on the
border nearly $4,000 troops. all of the
regular army. disposed along the line
from Brownsville to Yuma. Ariz., on
plans worked out by the general stan.
The command include all of the troops
who we're i'm Mexico under General Per-
shing and their distribution was carried
out under the direction of General Eben
Swift. who was with the Pershing ex-
petition. General Pershing will remain
at FL Paso. where he is commanding a
division including the largest cavalry
unit on the line.
Secretary Baker emphasized that the
withdrawal OF the state troops is in no
way Connected with the crisis with Ger
many. but carries out a policy determin-
ed on long ago by the administration
The order was Issued after General Fun
ston had reported that with the new dis
position of regulars he felt that he had
enough men to meet any border exigen-
cies that might arise. Many guard units
already had been ordered home during
the past few weeks and the number Of
guardsmen remaining and to be demob-
ilized under today's order is about SO. 600.
Administration officials place entire
confidence in General Funston's opinion
that the force of regulars will be SUM-
cient. They are understood to have
been convinced by the reports of special
observers for the state department and
the army that while It may be possible
- .
minor depredations in the sparsely set
tied region west of FL Paso. there is lit
tie possibility Of a recurrence of raids
IN the lower Rio Grande country.
FREE HAND FOR CARRANZA.1
1t also is desired that the Carranza gov
eminent be embarrassed as little as pos
sible in its efforts to control Mexico, and
the maintenance of a large army at the
border has been a constant cause of COM
plant from Mexicans. The reduction is
expected by officials here to have a bene-
fetal effect on relations between the two
countries, especially just now when dip
lOmatic intercourse is being resumed
Ambassador Fletcher took with him to
Mexico mass of memoranda on subjects
that the United States has instructed
him to take up with the Mexican govern
ment. 1t is expected he will call at the
Mexican foreign office Monday to presen:
his credentials. A memorandum on the
killing Of the three Americans south of
Hachita. N. NJ, is being prepared here
and will be forwarded to him early next
week with instructions that he make
representations to the de facto govern
ment.
The war department issued this state
ment:
Orders have been sent to Genera
Funston to send all national guard or.
CARNATIONS north for muster out fnclud.
ing border states. All details of the
movement including dates of departure
are-lefts to General Funston"
The order affects about $4,000 guards
men not included in a previous order
which recalled about 25, 900 men.
Department officials expect all the
guardsmen 10 be back in their state
mobilization camps or at their armories
inside of three weeks.