The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-02
Confidence Grows, However, That Punitive Expedition Is Rapidly Nearing or Has Attained Its Climax
THREE DAYS SINCE 1 CLASH OCCURRED AT SAN GERONIMO RANCH
Troopers Will Not Allow
 Trail to Grow Cold-Sup- plies Have Not Gone For ward Over Railroad Yet

Washington, April 1.--Although no word came through today from General Persh- I ing's expeditionary force In Mexico, there was a growing confidence here that the I expedition was rapidly nearing, if it had not already reached, it's climax. Three days have passed since Colonel Dodd's cavalry dash a Guerrero scattered Villa S main command and established definitely the presence in that locality of Villa him | self, and army officers are certain that the American troopers did not allow the trail to grow cold.
 i The hope for early capture of the bandit | chief was increased tonight by rumor reaching General Gavira, Carranza com mander at Juarez, that Dodds flying l column had netted inc fugitive The war department had no information to confirm l the report. Officials pointed out. however, that General Gavira had news of the Guerrero fight hours before General Pershing's account reached General Fun ston The Carranza authorities have con- trol of the telegraph lines. and, with Car ranza troops operating near Guerrero, have facilities for ptompt reports on the American operations.
 AWAIT MORE NEWS
 l A night watch was maintained tonight at the war department in the hope that further dispatches from Pershing would be received. Secretary Baker wired Gen. eral Funston to endeavor to get further details of the Guerrero engagement ano inquired especially regarding the condition [ of the four cavarymens reported slightly :, wounded. It was believed their injuries were so trivial that General Pershing re. framed from Forwarding their names. Colonel Dodd is at least 50 or 75 miles I from point of communication. While he ably halted his troops for brief I respite after their 55-mile dash fol. ed by a running fight of five hours, officers l here do not believe he tarried long, Diff 4 fculty in securing supplies and water al their distance from the main command oi General Pershing may have handicapped him, but probably did not delay the chase
 many hours.
 Initiation of the agreement by whcf the American troops would have temper. ary use of the Mexican Northwestern rail. way pending ratification of a more com prehensive protocol apparently has beer
 halted through the failure of the Carran
 ga authorities at Juarez to receive instruc
 tons regarding it.
 GAVIRA AWAITS ORDERS Secretary Baker said today he had no modified his instructions to General Fun
 ston to tender supplies for shipment t, the railway authorities Tine last infor
 nation from General Funston was tha General Gavira was awaiting instructions
 from General Carranza who agreed [,
 the arrangement several days ago, tt put it into actual effect.
 State and war department officials re iterated tonight their intention to awai l results of q fair trial of the tentativ, arrangements before pressing Carranz; for furher concessions to secure ship 1 ment of supplies. The question of whethe
 General Funston may furnish guards O whether the Carranza government shal
 supply protection for supply shipment
 is considered possible factor in tn
 delay. Some officials believe the proto 1 cor VIII ne arranged pe1ore actual snip
 ments are begun.
 The possibility that the American troop may contract fever, which is epidemi upon the Grand Plateau of Mexico, cause the war department to issue a specia
 bulletin today warning the troopers t } | guard against infection. The bulletin says the soldiers should observe the clos
 est attention to their personal cleanli | ness and under no circumstances occup
 native unfumgated houses or use ma
 tive clothing or bedding.
 San Antonio, Tex, April 1.-Absence 0
 news from the district about Guerrer e (Continued onsPage Eight