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Show IU SECRETARY mm ii OF PERSHING Accomplishment in Securing- Border Against Depredation Depre-dation an Object of Constant Con-stant Pride, Says Baker. "U'ASHEXGTON", Feb. 7. High commendation com-mendation tor the work of the army on the border and in Mexico is expressed by Secretary Baker in letters to Major General Gen-eral Puns ton. commanding the border forces, and Major General Pershing", who commanded the punitive expedition just returned to American territory. General Pershing's accomplishment in securing the border against attack and depredation by bandits, the secretary says, "has been an object of constant pride and pleasure to the department by reason of its high military efficiency, its vigorous a nd effective pursuit of Its object ob-ject and the restraint imposed by officers and men upon themselves in their consideration con-sideration for the people of Mexico." The letter to General Funston, expresses also the satisfaction of the war department depart-ment with the organization and work of the border forces. Letter to Pershing. To General Pershing the secretary wrote: I have just received word that your command has recrossed the Mexican Mexi-can border and Is again on the territory ter-ritory of tho United States. From the original -organization of this force until the conclusion of its work It has been an object of constant pride and pleasure to the department by reason rea-son of its high military efficiency, its vigorous and effective pursuit of Its object, and the restraint imposed by both officers and men upon themselves them-selves in their consideration for the people of Mexico with whom they came in contact and tiie public authorities au-thorities of that country. The expedition thoroughly dispersed and scattered the bandits who ( menaced the safety of Americans on our side of the border; for long i months its presence In Mexico served to secure our border from attack and depredation, and it is a conspicuous j demonstration of the fine character of the entire expedition that, upon i its retirement, it was voluntarily followed fol-lowed by a large number . of the civilian population among whom it had been and who had learned to regard the American soldier as their friend. Congratulations Extended. The circumstances under which the expeditionary force remained in Mexico Mex-ico might well have aroused against it distrust and popular feeling. It is, so far as I know, unprecedented In the history of such expeditions that a quite unanimous good will and con- t fidence has been gained among the civilian population in which the army 1 was stationed. I desire to congratulate you and the officers and men of your command com-mand upon the accomplishment of the great service to the country and also upon the splendid manner in which they have sustained the best traditions tradi-tions of our armies. Funston Commended. The letter to General Funston said: I have just received word that General Pershing's expeditionary force has returned across the border to the United Mates. I write this letter to express to you, as the department depart-ment commander, my deep satisfaction satisfac-tion with the organization and sud-port sud-port of this force and the work It has accomplished. From its entrance into Mexico its work has been characterized charac-terized by efficiency in the pursuit of its object and consideration for the people with whom it came in contact con-tact and the government upon whose soil it was in effect a guest. The supply and communication service, although beset with difficulty, has been finely maintained and the incident in-cident is a highly creditable episode in our military history. Pershing's New Post. General Pershing will take command at , El Paso and distribution of the force he commanded in Mexico will be under the direction of Brigadier General Swift of Columbus. The force will be divided among fourteen stations from Yuma, Ariz., to a point near the eastern end 1 of the border. i General Pershing today reported at Co- ' lumbus 3749 refugees who accompanied ' the force from Mexico. Lieutenant Ord in charge of the refugees, already has found employment for about half of them and he believed he would be able to get work for the others. General Pershing reports he expects no difficulty in their disposition. Of the refugees there are 2030 Mexicans, Mexi-cans, S83 of whom are men ; 574 women and 623 children under 12 years of ae There are 197 Americans, 80 men "49 women and 68 children. The Chinese numbering 522, will be held temporarily ' |