MEXICO.
FIGHTING CONTINUES. ZAPATISTS ANNIHILATED, By Cable—Press Association— Copyright. New York, July 14. While the United States and Mexico are preparing a conference, there is still internal lighting. A report states that Carranza's troops annihilated a company of Zapatists at Milp*alta, also that Villa's followers have demanded the surrender of Chihuahua city. THE CALLING OUT OF THE MILITIA. With 8000 additional troops under orders for the Mexican border, including 4000 national guardsmen from Arizona, New Mexico, and Teias (says tlie Springfield Republican in its issue of Uth May), administration officials at Washington felt on Tuesday night that immediate necessary steps had been taken to prevent further raiding of American border towns by bandits. Secretary Baker said the question of calling guardsmen from other States into the servicfe was not under immediate consideration. It was learned, however, ' that General Funston already had been I supplied with all papers, forms and in--1 structions necessary to muster into seri vice the guardsmen of all States near the j border, and that ordnance and quartermaster stores to outfit all such troops on ! a full war basis are held at convenient points for quick distribution. Mr. Baker refused to discuss reports that General Funston had urged that he be given a total of 150,000 men to maintain tho border guard. It is possible the border commander mentioned that figure as the number of men he thought necessary to er,sure protection of all border towns and ranches, by providing an adequate guard for each. The Secretary said General Pershing's force in Mexico was able to take care "f itself in any emergency. Including the troops ordered out yesterday there will be nearly 45,000 soldiers, perhaps 50,000 along the border or in Mexico, according to the best a-vailable figures at Washington. The War Department lias declined to publish actual numbers; but with the entire mobile army, except five troops of cavalry, under General Funston's command, in addition to the 4000 or more guardsmen and the several thousand recruits who are being forwarded to the regular regiments as fast as they are mustered in, the United States has a considerable army strung along the 1800 miles of international line Calling out the national guard for the first time under the present Militia law, brings up the fact that, as written, that Act authorises the President to use the soldiers either within or without United States territory. The provision authorising the use of the guardsmen as such beyond the border was held to be unconstitutional by former Attorney-General Wickersham. It never lias been passed upon by the Supreme Court, however, ar.d President Wilson has full legal authority to employ the State forces beyond 'I the'border if he so desires. Only an injunction against the War Department j could prevent it. ■| Commenting on the above, the Pepub 1 iicm sia f cs:—The. President's order j calling out the militia of three border I .States for patrol duty along the Mexi- ) can lines give sensational emphasis to | tin; tenseness of the situation and the / inadequacy of the regular army. Yet 'boye of avoiding general intervention need not be abandoned. A patrolling force sulficwtit to prevent forays would eiiin.iir'fi one danger. But the militia will be harder to control than the regulars and more likely to let friction blaze into action where they come in contact with Mexicans.
In its issue of 18th Hay the same paper says:—lf tlie governments of Ari jjentina, Brazil, Chili, Bolivia, Uruguay, . and Guatemala, as is announced, have informed tlie President that tliey were . ready to give liim tlieir moral support in rase Mexican eonditions forced intervention by the United States, notwithstanding the protests of Mexican leaders, then the President's patience has been richly rewarded. The goodwill of the chief governments of Latin America has been j highly important in the development of Mexican policy.
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Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1916, Page 8
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638MEXICO. Taranaki Daily News, 18 July 1916, Page 8
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