The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1916-03-31

any of the larger forces he WIFI dis
cover their mettle."
Funston's reports which were re-
cetved last night and early today, as
serted that Carranztstas are cooper
ating fully with the American troops
in a supreme effort to make villa
abandon his flight and make a stand.
General Funston considers this the
| only hope for the American punitive
| expedition to accomplish its purpose.
Unless we can bring Villa to de-
| ciaive fighting" said Funston, he
can continue his fight straight
through to Central America, and I
hate to consider the difficulties of
maintaining line Of communication
from Columbus very much farther
south"
! Army headquarters attaches ex-
pressed the belief that clashes may
have occurred in which the Villistas
| proved superior to the American sol
| dters they engaged, on account OF
the formers greater mum bere. Fore
| stalling the usual crop of rumors,
General Funston said there undoubt-
eddy would be unauthenuc reports
of American casualties.
General Pershing. apparently warn
ed that Villa was about to make
stand, Is at the front with his men.
According to Funston, the superior
| intelligence OF the American general
will more than Offset any numerical
superiority the Villistas may offer.
General Funston refused to give
details which might divulge the loca-
ton Of the main column OF American
troops. The Villistas, he stated, fol-
lowing their clash with Carranza
| force at Guerrero, went south
through Minaca, following the rail-
road to the southwest
! General Funston remained silent on
! the railway matter, but admitted no
supplies have yet been shipped over
the Mexico Northwestern.
Lines Tightening.
WASHINGTON, March 31.-With
news from the border that the lines Of
| Americans and CarranZistas are tight
ening around Villa, administration Off
cials today were trying to settle
| few final details in the arrangement
with Carranza for use OF the North
western Mexico railway. With this
line forwarding supplies, the officials
| hope that he man hunt may come to
an end reasonably soon. What the
| bitches in the arrangement are, could
not be learned. Apparently the agree
ment had been finally reached yester-
/ day. but the day passed without the
movement Of any supplies. There we're
several communications between Gen
eral Bell on the border and the war
| department. The war department
said today there had been no positive
! refusal by Mexican authorities TO
| transport army supplies from Ell Paso,
! but General Gavira at Juarez wanted
! r1-ara1
before he passed any shipment. 1t Is
expected supplies viii start soon. Re
! ports Of dissatisfaction Of border Off
! Gals with Washington authorities
! course, particularly in the railway
situation were denied fatty. General
Scott had a personal letter from Gen
eraI Funston expressing his pleasure
! with Washington treatment.
The department had nothing on the
reporfed Villa execution of Guerrero
garrison or the wounding OF Villa
| himself.
AS far as departmental messages
show. the American expedition has not
nred a shot nor been fired at.
/ Brought to Bay Soon.
rBv II. D. Jacobs. United Press Staff
! Cores pondent.l
FIELD HEADQUARTERS AMERl-
CAN ARMY NEAR DUBIAAN, Mex
by aeroplane to Columbus, n. M
March 31-VilIa may be brought to
bay within a short time. There IS
distinct feeling around Brigadier Gen
eral Pershing's headquarters toda!
that important developments in the
pursuit are impending. Word was ex
pected daily Of Villa forced to make a
stand by the rapidly OF tho Amer
can advance on his trail. II the
troops ever get within lighttng dis
lance Of Villa, confidence was fell
here in the outcome.
II Villa cuts his way through the
CGrranzistas on three sides or him
his probable flight, according to dis
cussion around headquarters, will Dc
toward the rich Conchos river valley
to the south and east of Chihuah us