Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1916-04-27

WASHINGTON, April 26.-General
instructions for the assistance of Ma
jor General Hugh l.. Scott at his forth
coming conference with Carranza's war
minister, General Obregon, were draft
ed by Secretary Baker today after
brief conferences with President Will
son and with Secretary Lansing OF the
state department.
The only official statement as to the
nature OF the instructions was the
following, issued by Secretary Baker:
THE instructions are to discuss a
basis for the most cordial and com
plete cooperation between the Ameri-
can and Mexican forces in the attain
ment OF Their common object"
While the immediate object OF the
conference Is, as stated, question Of
military disposition, to put an end to
bandit operations along the border,
there Is no doubt its result will have
strong influence upon the diplomatic
negotiations between the two govern.
ments. Suggestions OF the conferees
would receive attention both here and
In Mexico City.
Obregon will carry back to Mexico City
on his return definite impression
that the American troops will remain
in the positions to which General Fun
ston now Is shifting them, as buffer
between the disturbed area OF North
ern Mexico and the border until the
success OF the Carranza forces in pur-
suing the bandits removes the danger
OF further raids on American towns. 1t
also is virtually certain that the in
tentions OF the American forces to
police thoroughly all the territory in
the immediate vicinity OF their ad
vanced bases will be made clear
To this extent the conference will
give General Carranza advance notice
of the attitude the United States will
take in replying to his note OF April IL
suggesting the withdrawal OF forces.
Officials hope however. that IT'D more
immediate result will be to clear away
the misunderstanding and suspicion
with which the movements of Ameri
can troops have been regarded by 10
cal Mexican commanders and officials
to free supply shipments for the troops
from interference which they have met
heretofore, and perhaps to make pos
sible real joint operations for the cap
ture of Villa
While it is not known that the or
ders mention Villa, General Scott may
point out to General Obregon that the
most effective way to obtain early
withdrawal of the American forces
from Mexico would be to- lend all pos
sible aid in the chase for the bandit
With his elimination. either by Ameri
can or Mexican troops, it is believed
the Washington government would
agree to an immediate retirement OF
the expedition across the border.
1t would be made clear in this con
nection that United States officers
have no doubt of their ability to cap
trre the bandit were it not for theil
desire to avoid clashes with the Mexi
cans such as occurred at Parral. The
re-disposition Of the troops to confine
their operations to more limited
field since that incident will be citet
rs evidence Of the good faith of the
statement.
A renewal of the hunt for the ban
dit by American troopers now is il
progress, both official reports from
General Funston and border advice,
disclosed. The cayalrymen. despite tn,
worn condition OF their mounts, ar.
beating the mountains where Villa ad
herents have been assembling during
the lull in the chase after the PARA
incident No information as to thu
whereabouts of Villa has been re
ceived The war department gave on
this dispatch from General Funston
Following just received from Gen
eral Pershing:
'Namiquipa, April 25.
GA report dated April "a receives
today from Colonel Dodd, whose col
umn OF four troops. Seventh cavalry
has been operating southwest Minaca
states that he overlook band OF Vii
listas near Tomachic on the twenty
second at 4:3O p. m.. killing an
wounding 10 others, many probabl
fatally. Twenty-Five horses were car
.ured Our loss, two killed and thre
wounded Fight lasted until dark. ln
possible to tell definitely loss of vi
listas Dodd's column wheh previousl
heard from was at Panachic on til
seventeenth. Country reported yer
rough March made over Difficult
mountain trails. Villistas reported III
der leadership of Cervantes, Rios Bac
and Dominguez numbered $50 to 20'
Baca reported killed yesterday q
Santa Lomas Do not give entir
credit to his reported death. Gu
killed at Tomachic were Ralph A. Raw
saddler, troop l.. Seventh cavalry; Pr
yate Oliver Bonshee, troop H. Sevent
cavalry; wounded, Thomas Henr,
Seventh cavalry; Tillman T. Mathia
troop L, Seventh cavalry. Dodd r
turning to Minaca.
A second dispatch from Gener;
Funston follows:
Late reports from Colonel Erwi
state that on the twentieth instai
scouting party from his command e
counered small body Of Villistas ne;
Cocomorachic and mortally wounde
four. Wounded in Dodd's commar