The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-17
Troops Which Invaded Mex icO Vanish So Far As
 Washington Knows
GENERAL CONDITIONS
 ARE REPORTED QUIET
Developments Not Expected Soon. Villa Believed to Be Far South of His Pursuers - Lieutenant
 Zell Commits Suicide

Washington, March 16-An impenetra- ble wall of secrecy surrounded tonight the movements of American troops be- yond the Mexican border So far as official Washington was advised, the col umns virtually might have vanished into thin air when they crossed the interna- tiona1 boundary yesterday in pursuit of Villa. Even the commander inc chief, President Wilson, did not know where General Pershing's men were
 Secretary Baker received virtually no reports from General Funston dealing with events beyond the border. Late to- day he said he did not know whether the troops had proceeded southward from their first bivouac on Mexican soil last night Not a single dispatch from the except one reporting the death of Lieu tenant Zell, Eleventh cavalry, at the Columbus hospital where he took his own life in a fit of despondency.
 NO DEVELOPMENTS SOON
 Army officials were convinced that no important developments were to be ex- pected for several days. It seemed plain from the days accumulation of rumors that Villa was far to the south of his would not divulge any details of the number of troops across the border or of the regiments sent Press advices, however, showed that infantry accom- panied the cavalry and artillery. That means slow progress across the desert. It will take days, it is said, to cover the distance to Galena, the last town where Villa was reported unofficially to have been seen.
 American consuls in Mexico so far have been able to give little aid to the troops although all are on watch for informa- ton that might indicate the bandit S movements.
 Consular advices today continued to re- port generally quiet conditions. Officials displayed some concern over the situa- tion in the Tampico district, however, where there are signs of unrest The Kentucky was ordered back to Vera Cruz from New Orleans, Secre- tary Daniels explaining that navy yes
 
 lave radio equipment powerful enough to insure uninterrupted communication with Washington. With the Kentucky at Vera Cruz reports from smaller vessels along the coast can be relayed quickly to Key West and Arlington.
 CONSULS TO REMAIN
 The state department denied that other American conSuls than ConS,1l Williams at Torreon were leaving their posts. Will Hams. they said, merely reported that he was leaving because of rumors. He did not specify the conditions which he viewed as alarming. One other consul at first reported he would leave, but later his mind, saying the situation had cleared.
 No reply has yet come from General Carranza to the American note announc- ing the acceptance of his proposal for reciprocal action on the border. The fact that his troops evidently are cooperating with the American columns is viewed as answer enough in itself for the time being The international forces are form ing a huge steel ring about the bandits lair, slowly closing in from all sides.
 Reports from the scores of recruiting agencies reopened yesterday throughout the country began to filter into the war department today They contained little definite information By the end of the week Adjutant General Mccain expects to have figures on the number of appl- cants who have been accepted. Not more than one man in five usually proves ac- ceptable. When the depots turn in their first five days report, however, clear will be available as to the time it will take to enlist the 10000 men con- gress has voted to add to the army inn nediately