Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-06-21
new ATTITUDE
TOWARD MEXICO
TAKEN BY U.S..
'Watchful Waiting" Plan
Has Been Changed to
"Watchful Preparedness"
carranza Reported to Be
Bending Every Effort to
Get American Aid.

Washington. June 21.-Develop-
ments along the southern border and
within Mexico itself. it was learned
omcially today, has brought a radical
change in the attitude of this govern
ment towards Mexico. 1t can be stat
ed on positive authority that watch
ful waiting" has been discarded for
"watchful preparedness"
The war department has perfected
plans to throw a punitive expedition
OF adequate strength across the Rio
Grande the moment official word is
received of reprisals on the part Of
villa for the Juarez incident. or in
case Of other contingencies tending to
bring the Mexican situation again to
Sunday. Orders for the advance of
this column, however. it is said, would
be accompanied by instructions for
the military protection of the border
through the creation of neutral
zone south of the line.
Further movement of the expedi-
ton would depend entirely on subse-
quent developments.
Discredit Report.
Military observers here place little
credence in the reports that Villa has
abandoned his offensive to the north.
Economic as we'll as military neces-
sity. 1t was pointed out. call for the
elimination of the Carranza garrisons
now stationed on the flanks of the ter
ritory Villa now controls and for pos
session of principal frontier entry
port which would give the rebel chief
tain fresh sinews of war in the shape
Of customs duties and equipment.
Although three federal generals
now are operating against Villa in
northern Mexico, confidential reports
to the war department are not opti-
mistic regarding the success of the
withdrawal of badly needed troops
from. the south, it is expected, will be
followed by fresh incursions of the
enthusiastically at the very gates
of the capital. The Carranza military
establishment. according to official re-
ports filed here. actually includes less
than 40 per cent Of its paper strength
of 100000 and it's military value is de-
creased by the doubtful loyalty of
some of the high officers and the fact
that hundreds of recruits were forci-
bly, inscripted.
Villa the Strongest.
OF the reb&l factions. OF, which there
are said to be seven opposing Car
! ranza, Villa is reported to be the
strongest. Angeles is characterized
In official circles hereaas '.undoubtedl,
the most skillful military leader south
OF the Rio Grande." The Villistas are
conservative1y estimated to numbe,
ten thousand equipped with fairly
modern arms. including cannon up tc
los millimeters in caliber.
So serious is the condition faced by
President CarrAnza that he is said tt
be bending every effort to secure the
! direct support of the United States ir
maintaining his mower This accord
ling 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 Washing
ton of General Candido Aguilar, son
in-law of the president. and mem.
Der Of his cabinet. it is declared. wa.
to- secure this support by the United
States. General Aguilar was author
lied, according to report. to settle the
oil question, and other matters thai
have caused friction between the two
countries.