Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-01-28

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.
Although oficials have been silent on
the subject of Mexico since failure OF
the joint commission Negotiations: as,
velopments outwardly have coupieu
the troop withdrawal with Carranza s
refusal to accept the Atlantic City
protocol ard have plainly forecast an
Intention &c lie. tho first CHIEF settle
for himself hereafter the many prob
facto government.
A patrol considered adequate to pro-
tect the border will be maintained rig
Idly. however. and notice has been
States VIII rot hesitate to use its armed
forces again, If necessary. to protect
American territory and America n
rights. The Americans on the joint
commission told their Mexican col
leagues at Atlantic City that this gov
erEmeEt never would relinquish the
right Of unlimited and unrestricted
pursui; of bandits guilty OF border dep
relations.
That Pe-shlns's command, sent into
Mexico last March to dispense the
bandits who raided Columbus. viii! be
regrouped at the border and put into a
condition of preparedness for a recur-
renee of raidinG Is not doubted here,
and in that connection army officers
are observing with keen interest the
preparations being made by Villa and
his followers and allies to debate the
territory that Pershing viii evacuate.
All the recent moves in the Mexi-
can situation. however, and all those
in contemplation are kept under COW
err by the officials shaping the course
of the administration. After Carranza
without his signature 1t was made
known that when the time came for
the next step it would be taken with
out announcement and that the future
revealed only as it was translated into
action. In line with this decision the
War Department made no announce
ment of the withdrawal order today
and officials there and at the State De-
partment and the White House rigidly
preserved silence about Mexico,
1t is known. however, that President
Wilson's determination to withdraw
the troops followed closely upon the
failure of Carranza to ratify the agree
and that Mr.. Wilson Endorsed the Amer
lean commissioners recommendation
that he act Independently on the ques-
tion of withdrawal. and adopt policy
of purely formal rather than altruistic
treatment of Carranza.
Discussed Question With Pershing.
Gen. Funston was appraised of this
decision Immediately and soon after
with Gen. Pershing personally the
question of moving the troops. His
return to the border was followed by
preliminary movements to facilitate
withdrawal.
OF the 10000 men in Pershing's col
umn, 10000 have been concentrated at
Colonia Dublan for the march north.
Most OF that number have been there
for many weeks, but a large part ar
rived within the last two days from Ell
Vale, which has been the southern
most point of the expeditionary force
since the fight at Carrizal. The plan is
TO march the entire force out at the
same time. leaving no detachment far
to the rear as a bait for attacks from
wandering bands of rebels.
The first stop the army will make
after leaving Colonia Dublan will be
1t corraiitos. fifteen miles to the north.
in the opinion of army officers here At
Corralitos there is water. The next
water is at Ojo de Federico. twenty
miles farther on, and between Ojo de
Federico and the border the distance
is seventy-fiye miles. In that long
stretch there is little water. and 1t is
believed here that Gen. Pershing will
force his command to a fast pace after
leaving the second vTaterhole. From
Ojo de Federico there win go forward
with the column a string of water
tanks. -
: Stores It Colonia Dublan.
Whether the railroad will be utilized
for transportation of any of supplies
will depend upon Gen. Pershing's judg-
ment. There Is at Colcnia Dublan a
huge quantity of stores. Increased now
by those brought north from Ell Vale.
The transportation of these stores can
be done by truck trains. but the COM
mander may decide to ship some of
them as ordinary railroad freight.
Gen. Pershing will leave behind him
Is few physical traces of his presence
as possible. Dispatches already re-
ceived from his headquarters indicate
that the fiimsy shelters, adobe and
where erected by the Americans. When
the Americans evacuated Vera Cruz.
they left standing many light wooden
structures they had erected, and these
promptly were utilized by the native
forces.
See Opportunity for Villa.
It has been indicated that the border
guard will be maintained indefinitely
At almost its present potential strength,
even II it is reduced in numbers. IT
is pointed out that the stationing of
Pershing's 1900 men along the border
will make up for the withdrawal Of more
than an equal number of guardsmen.
because large part of the strength
of the army on the border has been
used. up tc n0~ in supporting the
column soIsS or the line.
.any army officers high in the sery-
see believe that the withdrawal of Gen.
Pershing will mean early occupation
OF the territory about Colonia DubIan
by Villa and his followers. Gen. oh
RECON has ordered the forces of Gen.
Murguia and Dteguez to that section.
out information at the War Depart
ment indicates that Villa, with a strong
command. has been moving steadiIy
Forward into strategic positions nearby
prepared for determined Interference
with Carranza's forces whenever he
can get at them.
some slight anxiety was displayed a,
M