The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-16
FUNSTON WIRES CAPITAL
TROOPS ACROSS BORDER
Col. Dodd, With Main Column, Headed for Mormon
Colony-Senate Votes Bigger Army-Consul
Williams Quits Torreon With 40 Americans.

WAsHINGTON March lJ-Sccretary OF
War Baker at 10 o'clock tonight OIL.
cially announced that the American ex-
petition in pursuit Of Francisco villa.
the Mexican bandit chief. has crossed
the border.
Previous to tho announcement the Sec
rotary carried to the White House and
laid before President Wilson an official
despatch from Gen. Funston. Returning
to the War Department he issued this
statement:
The Department received o-night in
code "a inessag, from Gen. Funston.
which announces that American troops
crossed the border into Mexico to-day,
but does not give the hour Of the
crossing.
am very happy to say tina the dcs.
patch shows that the military repre-
sentative Of the de fac,o Government
! OF Mexico not only interposed no oh
stacle, but appears to be cooperating
Details Kept secret.
Secretary Baker declined TO add any
thing to his statement by way Of saving
at what point or points the troops
crossed into Mexico. their number. COM
manding officer or any other details.
while ! cannot say he explained,
that II will he the policy Of tire Depart
nent to withhold information of this
Kind. ] do not feel justified at present ia
saying anything further on the subject"
h impression In War Department
circles Is that the main columns crossed
at or about Columbus. ". NJ, Which villa
attacked last week. and was under per-
sohal command OF Col. George \. Dodd.
commander of the Second Cavalry
brigade. and that other columns entered
from a point east Of Columbus and near
II Paso and to the west Of Culberson's
Ranch.
ron authoritative aour,es I, was
learned that the main column. under Col.
Dodd viii encanp at Hocas Grandes, uf-
teen miles south OF the border, and cx-
poets TO make Ascension tomorrow
The o through Ascension leads di.
rectly TO Casas ,;randes. where the col
ony OF 800 American Mormons is To-
Gated.
fress dispatches from the border to-
day stated that villa had burned a Nor
mon ranch at Colonia Dublan last nigh,
and that Mormons in the vicinity were
fleeing 10 Casas Grandes
osOuV 10 S,VOO TpOOps.
Gen. Funston II understood to hay.
advised the Department that ne probably
will divide his forces into small deiacn-
ments as soon AS he locates the general
whereabouts Of Villa and begins to round
up his followers.
Thu initial expedition In understood
here to consist OF from 5000 TO 5000
troops. mostly cavalry and mountain ar
tillery. In order to proven, villa from
beating back toward the border and
committing further depreda;ions on the
American side. and also in order TO
guard against any possible treachery
from the C%arranzistas. Gen. Funston has
disposed upward Of 1900 troops along
the boundary.
As rapidly as these organizations caa
be enlS rged under the new recruiting
resolution passed by Congress. reinforce.
ments will be available for Gen.
Pershing.
Elaborate provisions have been made
to keep PershinG's forces supplied with
provisions and ammunition. and owing
to the scarcity OF water In the region
TO he covered. special automobile trucks
are being rushed to the border 10 keep
the expeditions supplied,
Vote for Bigger Army.
The Senate this afternoon. without a
dissenting vote. went on record in favor
OF the Hay-Chamberla,n joint rcsolu-
ton. which passed the IIouse yesterday.
authorizing the President to recruit, the
standing army up To It's full war
strength. TIL Senate would have voted
on the resolution without a roll call,
but Senator Gailinaer. Nepuolicau. in
sisted that the vote should ne a matter
Of record.
81 want the world to see he de-