New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-24
Afraid to Aid Carranza
Until Pershing Is Safely
Out of Mexico
TROOP WITHDRAWAL
ACTUALLY BEGUN
Aviators First of Detach-
ment to Arrive on This
Side of Border
IFrnrn he Tribune BureAu. ]

IRON Inc innhNc bNiN@HA
Washington, Jan. 23.-Despite Car
ranza's protests that he is hampered IN
his struggle against villa by shortage
of ammunition, President Wilson does
not intend to raise the embargo Tor
the present, II his intentions wero
correctly stated by high White House
official to-day. There is too much uh-
certainty about the final destination Oh
munitions shipments just now II Is
held, when villa appears to be thriving
by stealing or buying his powder ana
shot from the Carranza forces.
"As soon as we can be sure VINO VIII
get the shipments the embargo VIII DC
raised" it was said.
But az Mr.. Wilson has in the past
demonstrated his fondness for raising
and lowering the embargo like soma
phore on a one-track road, II Is oe'
lieved in we'll advised quarters thar
his present intention will not last long
Some observers say the shipments Will
recommence as soon as Pershing is out
Of Mexico, since it was only because
Of Pershing's perilous position that
arms we're denied to Carranza last
spring.
Pershing Withdrawal Admitted
The Pcrshing withdrawal has COM
menced, it was admitted at tho White
House to-day, by the drawing in Of the
outposts. Military experts say Per-
shing would not make this move unless
he we're going TO get out Of Mexico
Immediately, as it enables the Mexican
troops to draw too near to his field
base at Colonia Dublan.
Secretary Baker, when asked to-day
about Pershing's orders TO quit Mexico
said:
There arc no new orders"
elias he any old orders that would
authorize him TO do that!
"Ah, that is another question
said he had no new orders"
The belief here is that Pershlng has
the matter entirely in his own hands
and that when he is safely on his way
20 the border the announcement OF ms
retirement will be made.
Officials are much interested, but APP
parently little concerned, over growing
evidences that determined struggle
for possession of the territory evacu-
ated by Pershing may be in progress
soon between Carrsnza troops and revo-
lutionists.
Villa and Zapata Joined
To-day's official dispatches said that
Villa and Zapata, the two most con-
spicuous revolutionary leaders, had
allied themselves for operations against
the de facto armies, and that 5000 men
had been concentrated near Chihuahua.
officials are surprised and perpleXed
over the drastic measures taken by the
First Chief against two banks whose
metallic reserve recently was seized,
and by what some contend is a revival
Of persecution Of the Roman Catholic
clergy.
Information reaching the British En-
bassy to-day from an official Of the
Bank of London and Mexico and the
National Bank OF Mexico was that the
bullion and specie taken from the banks
was loan only in the sense that it
was forced From the Bank Of London
and Mexico the amount taken was
valued at 100000 pesos. The National
Banks quota was 100000 pesos Re
naming in the vaults of the first are
100000 pesos, and the institutions
officers fear that this may also be re-
moved. Agents Of the de facto govern
ment arc in possession Of the building
and the keys 20 the vault.
The fate Of the two priests arrested
in Mexico, charged with conspiracy, re-
NAMED unknown here late to-day. The
State Department already has made
earnest representations in their behalf.
Roth at the State Department and at
the White House scores of kilograms
and letters were received to-day ap-
pealng to the American government
TO exercise every power 20 prevent
their conviction and execution. Cardi-
nal Gibbons was among those who sent
such appeals.