South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-01-21
SeC'y Baker Refuses to Dis
cuSS Effect on Recall of
PerShing Expedition in
Mexico.
GEN. FUNSTON TO SPECIFY
SOLDIERS THAT WILL MOVE
War Department Says TO-
600 Men Are Likely to Be
Returned to Home
States.

Associated Press Service.
WASHINGTON. Jan Chime
date withdrawal OF a substantial
number OF national guardsmen-
from the border has been ordered
10y the war department and Gen.
Funston now is selecting the units
20 be sent home. In announcing
the order late today Sec'y Baker
said the number 20 he Withdrawn
at this time probably would be To-
600 or 10000
The secretary refused 20 comment
on the order or say what relation
il might have 90 the Withdrawal or
Gen. Pershing's expedition from
Mexico He said that the organi-
cations 20 De Withdrawn would be
announced as soon as Gen. Funston
reported those be had designated
This Withdrawal viii reduce the
force OF state troops on the border
90 between 5000 and $4,000 men.
The announcements generally was
accepted however. as ara indication
that the withdrawal OF PershlnE's
force would not oe long delayed.
1T has been understood that as
quickly a IS border stations are evacu-
ated by state troops. regulars will
move up to occupy them. but to-
night it was said authoritau ,elv
that no order 10 bring the regulars
north had yet been issued
Keep Guard Intact
It is the policy OF the department.
not 20 permit disintegratiOu OF The
national guard organizations and
the intention is 10 hold every man
in service. though not under arms.
regardless of the fact that his duty
on the border has ended. All appl-
cations for discharge except for
cause will be refused and resigna-
tons Of officers will be carefully ex-
amined and accepted only when the
department is satisfied with the rea-
sons given. 10 was pointed out that
acceptance or many Of the resizna-
tons already offered was more or
less I'm the nature Of a wedding ont
process.
This policy OF maintaining intact
The strength Of the national guard Is
aiken as further Indication or what
VIII be the administration future
.olicv I'm dealing with Mexico This
policy. IT, has been Indicated. con-
templates dealing with the de facto
government on a strictly formal
basis rather thar on an altruistio
basis Thus it is understood that
the activity OF Villa and the Gues-
t0n Of who occupies the TERRITORY
Pershing is ABOUT 20 leave viii hs
rega rded here as problems for Car
rama and that the United states
will look % him for their solution.
Time Necessary.
Army officers here do not believe
it probable that withdrawal - GEN
Pershiugs force can Doc accom-
plished in much Jess than three
weeks aFte- the order is issued Pro-
VioUs troop movements OF the maz-
nitude Of that of the Ruardsmen
ordered today have required two
weeks. The Mexico Northwestern
railway south from Iuarez would
facilitate the withdrawal. but it has
been indicated that no request for
its use win he made by the United
States
Whether the administration ir-
tends 10 delay 20 send Arnbassador
Fletcher 90 Mexico city until after
the American troops come ONT has
not been definitely Indicated. but Il
has been pointed out that the sta
tiouing OF an ambassador M the
Carranza capital might be- construed
as sanctioning certain acts ~ the
de fscto government against which
this government has per-istenrly
protested