South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-11
Necessity For HaSty Action
Arises From Fear That
Bandit May Retreat to
Mountain Businesses.
LACK OF AVIAT0RS TO
BE SERIOUS HANDICAP
Air Scouts Would be of Great
Assistance in Locating
Mexican Outlaw Gang
in Short Time.
nternatlonal - -

international News Service:
WASHINGTON. March 1.-THE
campaign to "get Vnla" was well
under way today. according 20 the
high OFFICIALS Of the war department
They refused % permit publication
OF what has been done. but it was
generally accepted that the first cav
airy brigade Bri-. Gen Parker
commanding. the second cavalry
brigade. Col. George A. Dodd COM
handing. and other units already
are on the move.
Because the entire border Is
honeycombed with spies. an details
REGARDING operations viii Dee held up.
This is at the direct command OF
Maj. Gen. Frederick Funston who
has explained that he must strike
hard and secretly If villa is 20 be
eliminated from the situation
Meanwhile officials admittedly are
gravelv concerned over what atti-
tude Carranza viii take. The first
chief holds in his hands the power
OF peace or war with the United
States Every pledge has been made
to him that the present punitive ex-
petition Is intended only 90 punish
bandits and murderers and that 50
soon as his own troops are i'm posi-
ton TO safeguard the border the
Americans will be Withdrawn.
Concentrate Entire Army.
The entire regular army viii be
concentrated on the border as fast
as trains can get them there. secret
orders to move have been sent 10 all
units now scattered through the
United States. The coast artillery.
however, will be held in readiness
and not called on until the demand
is urgent because Of the present in
ternational situation. Commanders.
however. viii organize the provision
al regiments. get fun supplies and be
ready 20 move al q moments no.
tice-
The military authorities moved
quickly when notified that villa spies
were active here and that ammunition
was being smuggled across the Dor
der TO the forces which American
troops are going TO hunt down
Federal agents learned that 100
600 rounds of ammunition had been
loaded into wagons az South j.. FasO
and taken along the border TO the
west where villa ootposts have been
observed.
Soldiers in automobiles were sent
in pursuit of the wagon train with
orders that under no circumstances
must the ammunition reach the Viz
listas
Carranza has ordered an expedi-
tionary force Of 5000 men % pro-
coed against villa. but officials here
say that IL viii be made up OF scat
tering units and viii not be effective.
II. however. may bee able 90 prevent
Villas escape 90 the south and thus
allow the American cavalry 20 cor
ner him.
Haste il Imperative.
IL is recognized everywhere that
the campaign will Dee am ugIy one.
Haste. even at the cost ~ lives -
imperative Not only must Villa be-
cornered. but hc must bee cornered
before his emissaries have the op-
portunity 20 rally o. bis defense the
thousands OF American hating Mexi-
cans Of the south. The lighting also
is likely 20 be OF the guerilla sort.
villa familiar with every foot of
ground in northern Mexico. is er-
pected 20 fee 20 the mountains
where he can entreuch- This wlll
uecessitate Funston dividing his
command into three bodies 10 sweep
the plains and roundup all OPPOSE
ton r is expected that the wings
OF she expeditionary force VIII have
crossed the border from Fort Bliss.
Texas. and Douglas Ar.z. with the
main center entering al Columbus.
y. IT.
The cavalry viii Doe supported by
field artillery and the mountain
batteries. while a. reserve OF infantry
VIII maintain the lines ~ communi-
cation and protect the border from
further surprise raids
The sharp campo I'D against villa
IS expected 20 demonstrate the utter
weakness OF the aerop.aue service 81
the army AS the eyes ~ the stan"
officials declared today there should
be NOT less than go aeropIaues with
experienced pilots and Observers
available for duty instead of less
than "a dozen II Funston had so
aviators with good pilots. officials
declare that be not only would To-
cate Villa within day. tut THAI he
also would be able % plan a cam-
aaign that would round up the ban-
dir chief without the loss " MANY
men. AS it IS. his cavalry must 90