Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-13

plight of 500 Mormons, colonists at
Casa Grandes, who were expecting
an attack by Villa, was reported bet
ter tonight.
COLUMBUS, n. NJ, March a.
Reports multiplied here today that
Francisco Villa is disintegrating the
force of 1900 to $500 men whom he
used to support or to max the
Columbus raid last Thursday.
American military authorities said
today that If possible It would have
been advisable to go after villa
Thursday when his raiders field
southwark. They we're then demor-
allied and were dropping loot and
war material before the attacks OF
fifty-nine men under Major Frank
Tompkins. Requests of Colonel Her.
bert slocum, commanding the Thir-
teenth cavalry here, and OF Tomp-
kins to be allowed to renew the pur-
suit Friday with larger force were
denied pending the organization OF
the large punitive expedition.
May Take Several Days.
Today II was stated that this expedition.
owing TO Inadequate railroad facilities,
and the widely scattered position of the
troops necessary to constitute It, who
have been on patrol duty might require
several days preparation before Il could
enter Mexico. at least from this point.
Meanwhile reports from Mexican
sources stated that villa apparently was
carrying out q plan to elude pursuit by
breaking mp his force into small -ssnds
and hiding among the mountains Some
of his forces were reported 10 be APP
preaching the Sonora state border. Others
were said to be making their way south
ward and southeastward today toward
the mountains of the San Geronimo dis
trict, from which the bandit chieftain
started March 1. with the announced in
tention OF invading the United States.
ReinfOrcements from East.
Information was received here today
that two regiments OF infantry and a
battalion Of mountain artillery were be-
ing sent here from the east. In addition
to a battery of the Sixth artillery from
Nogales, Ariz. and a signal company.
Colonel Slocum said he had been ad-
vised that the first squadron of the Thir-
teenth cavalry also had been ordered 10
rejoin the regiment. The Thirteenth, on
account of its exploit Thursday in beat
ing off an overwhelming number OF
Mexicans after stiff fight in which they
inflicted possibly fifteen times the num-
Der of their own casualties. is said to
have been assigned to the duty OF taking
Villas direct trail.
But owing to the exigencies OF the
patrol duty TO which the army has been
assigned ever since the outbreak of the
Madero revolution, the regiment has had
on duty here only two-thlrds of its
strength.
The first squadron, under Lieutenant
Colonel Trivers, has been stationed at
Maria. Tex, more than 250 miles east of
here, and assigned to patrol a stretch OF
territory eighty-five miles IN extent. II
might be several days before this squad
ron will be assembled here.
Other Units widely Scattered.
Other units said TO have been desig-
mated for service in Mexico are quite as
widely scattered because OF demands for
protection and patrols at Various points.
Infantry. artillery and cavalry deemed
necessary for the expedition are scattered
at intervals from seventy-five to $50 miles
from Maria. Tex, on the east 10 Yuma,
AriZ., on the west. There is only one
line of railroad by which the concentra-
ton Of these troops can be accomplished.
This line is closely guarded to minimize
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Es.ok D1Ls