The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1916-03-24

Persfing's Forces Greatly Fatigued
Villa Escapes Trap.
CASAS GRANDES, MEX. (via radio
to Columbus, N. M. With the
tightening of the Gordon around Villa
to the south a report reached General
Pershing that the bandits attempted
to break the circle of steel at Naml-
quipa, but were driven back into The
trap by the Carranza force under Luis
Herrera
Reports from native spies and Nor
mon scouts are to effect that Villas
band is in sore need of horses and
that his generals, Brachamontes and
Servantes, were dispatched on raids
to get more.
General Pershing is in constant
communication with the units of the
,encompassing movement of American
troops, all of which are strong for the
honor of the first contact with the
bandit force.
The condition of the man and
horses in the detached columns are
reported as good. The troops are
learning to eat dried Mexican beef
and live off the country like Villistas.
Horses now hardened and acclimated
are capable of pursuit soon as the
location of the Villa force is determ-
ined
More Troops for Pershins.
WASHINGTON, D. C. = At the Ee-
quest of Major General Funston, the
war department issued orders to the
Fifth cavalry to proceed at once to
the border.
At present the regiment is distrib-
uted into squadrons at Fort Sheridan.
ILL.,, Fort Leavenworth, Kan, and Fort
Meyer, Va These troops have been
under waiting orders since last week.
They will get under way Immediately.
The squadron at Fort Meyer left on
the Southern railway and is due to
reach the border the latter part of
this week.
Whether the Fifth is to go into
Mexico at once, or is to take the place
of other troops sent to reinforce Gen
eral Pershing, was not announced 1t
i
has asked for more infantry and that
the Fifth cavalry will take the place
of the Twenty-third infantry or some
other regiment seasoned to the Dor
der climate.
Pershing' Demands Insistent.
SAN ANTONIO, TEGAS.-General
Pershing, hard on the heels of the
bandit Villa, has sent pressing de-
mands for more cavalry and his de-
mands impelled General Funston to
request the war department at Wash
ington to call for the Fifth cavalry,
now stationed at Fort Meyer, Fort
Sheridan and Fort Leavenworth.
A week ago General Pershing ask
ed for an additional regiment of cav
airy, but General Funston then
thought the troops under his direct
command would be sufficient to round
up Villa. 1t is understood here that
several times General Pershing has
repeated his request for reinforce
ments and Tuesday his demands be-
came so imperative that Funston was
moved to action.
Pershing's Men Fatigued.-
Pershing's command is understood
to be in bad shape from constant hard
riding since the border was crossed.
Forced marches across the burning
desert and night dashes through wa.
terless wastes have worn down both
horses and men. 1t is believed here
that the demand for more troops was
inspired more by the urgency of al
lowing his weary command to rest
than by the actual need of more men
in running down Villa
American Forces in Peril.
GALVESTON, TEXAS. The
American forces under Colonel Dodd
and Brigadier General Pershing are
completely surrounded by hostile
Mexican forces and are liable to be
annihilated, according to information
reaching here. Confidential dispatches
declare that Funston is expecting SER
ious trouble with CaSranza troops. 1t
is believed that Carranza himself will
do all possible to aid in the capturing
of Villa, but that the leaders under
him will join the opposition at any
time the opportunity presents Itss I.
Villa Escapes One Trap.
Ell PASO, TEXAS.-The battle be-
tween Francisco Villas army and the
Carranzistas is still in progress Villa
is slowly retreating in a southernly
direction from Namiquipa into the
Sierra Madre mountains AS far as
General Gavira, our commander at
Juarez, can learn, our troops have not
captured any of Villas men,"
This statement was made by Next
can Consul Andres Garcia. Villa is de-
clared to have escaped the column
sent by Pershing to the gap through
the mountain pass to Babicora Lake.
He is fighting his way into the plateau
country about forty miles south OF
Babicora. He is said to know this
country better than any man alive.