Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-06-21
Enemy Still Seeks Easier Terms
u. S. READY FOR
QUICK ACTION
ALONG BORDER
Prepared to Send Force
Across Rio Grande
At Amy Time.

Washington, June 81. - Recent
developments along the Mexican
border and within Mexico, it was
learned officially today, brought a
radical change in the attitude of
this government towards Mexico.
1t can be stated on positive author
ity that "Watchful waiting" has
been discarded for "watchful pre-
paredness."
The war department has per-
fected plans to throw a punitive
expedition of adequate strength
across the Rio Grande the moment
word is received of reprisals on
the part of Villa for the Juarez in
cident, or in case Of other contin-
gencies tending to bring the Mex
lean situation again to stage ap-
preaching the crisis OF last Sun
day. Orders for the advance Of
this column. however, it was said,
will lie accompanied by instruc
tiOns for the military occupancy of
territory necessary to insure the
safety of the expedition and abso-
lutte protection of the border
through the creation of a neutral
zone south of the line.
Further movement Of the eXpe-
dition would depend entirely on
subsequent developments.
Doubt Villa Claim.
Military observers here place
little credence in. the reports that
Villa has abandoned his offensive
to the north Economic as well as
military necessity, it was pointed
hn oil ~ q
Carranza garrjSons now stationed
on the f1anks of the territory Villa
now controls and for possession Of
principal frontie' entry port
which would give the rebel chief
tain fresh sinews OF war in the
shape of customs duties and equip
ment.
Although three federal generals
are now operating against Villa in
northern Mexico, confidential re-
ports to the war department are
not Optomistic regarding the sue
cess of the CarranZaIst campaign,
and the withdrawal of the badIy
needed troops from the south it is
expected will be followed by fresh
incursions of the Felicistas, already
at the very gates of the capital.
Carranza Forces Weak.
CarranZa military establishments,
according to official reports, actu-
ally include less than 40 per cent
Of its paper strength of 10000,
and its military value is decreased.
by the doubtful loyalty of some of
the high officers and the fact that
hundreds of recruits were forcibly
cCnscripted.
OF the rebel factions. of which
there are said to be seven oppos-
ing CarranZa, Villa is reported to
be the strongest. Angels is char
acterized in official circles here as
undoubtedly the most skillful
military leader south of the Rio
Grande." The Villistas are con
servatively estimated to number
10000 equipped with fairly mod
ern arms, including cannon up to
105 millimeters in caliber.
Seeking L. s. Support.
So serious is the condition faced
by President Carranza that he is
said to be bending every effort to
secure the direct support of the
United States in maintaining his
power. This, according to officials
here, accounts for the ease with
which the Juarez incident was
closed. One of the principal pur-
poses of the recent visit to Wash
ington of General Candido AguiIar,
son-in-law of the president, and a
member of his cabinet, it is declar-
ed. was to secure this support by
the United States. General Agui-
lar was authorized, according to
the report. to settle the oil ques-
ton and other matters that have
caused friction between the two
countries.