The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-17
NO BATTLE PLAN?
Villa Wanders Leisurely Along
Toward Mountains.
No Intention of Fighting Now,
Says Mexico City.
U. S. MOVE RECEIVED CALMLY
Mexican Capital Is Not WOr-
ried Over Outcome.
Troop Movements Screened by
Strict Censorship.

Mexico City, March 17.-Villa's
forces were last reported in the vicin-
ity of Pacheco, Chihuahua, about rs
miles southwest of Guzman, toward
which the. American forces are said to
be moving.
Villa was moving Ieisurely toward
the mountains apparently having no
intention of giving battle.
News that American troops had
actually crossed the border was re-
ceived here today in dispatches from
General Carranza's capital at Quere-
taro and caused no excitement 1t was
stated that a Mexican force of about
1900, under General Bertani, will join
the Americans within few hours TO
aid in the hunt.
General Carranza will forward to-
night his reply to President wilson
note of acceptance.
swallowed Up in Hills
Ell Paso. March 17"Swal1oWed up
in the hills and deserts of northern
Chihuahua, the United States eNpedl-
ton of two divisions was seeking VIVA
screened by an almost impenetrable
censorship.
Driving along the eastern slope of
the Sierre Madres, the Seventh ana
Tenth regiments of cavalry undef
colonel DOdd were expected to arrive
at CoIonia Dublan today and, finding
the Mormons there safe. were to con-
Time on forced marches today TO
Casas Grandes in an attempt to cut
off Villas retreat across the noun
tains into Sonora.
Colonel Slocum's column OF cav
airy. infantry and artillery We're NOV
ing more slowly south OF Pa1onas.
They were possibly to be Joined today
by the seven aviators from Colum pus'
New Mexico. Reports brought mere
bv persons who visited COlum bus, told
of practice flights there yesterday,
preliminary to their soaring SOUTHWARK
today to act as scouts. Their bonn
dropping ability was to be restricted
for the present, owing to the large
number of Carranzista troops in the
CasaS GrandeS country, also On liie'
trail.
Too Late to Cut Off Retreat.
That Colonel Dodds flying squadron
of cavalry may be too late to cut or
Villas retreat to his secret hlulnR
nlaces in the Sierra MadreS was lnd1-
! Gated in reports from Aqua Prieta that
Villa already had crossed over INTO
| Sonora. This was considered pre-
mature rumor here. Carranzlsta cav
airy had been stationed to prevent ms
| passage over the rugged ranges OF
| mountains.
Reports from PRESIDED, Texas. in
the Big Bend country east of here,
told of renewed bandit raids by Villista
| sympathizers on American soil
1t was reported that thousands OF
! Moxicans in the great stretch of open
country south of PRESIDED were ready
to Join the Villa standard against the
invaders"
Desertions of Carranzista soldiers
throughout Chihuahua also were re
ported. although no specific opposi-
4 70 ri ct frOnnS
| American expedition has yet been con-
| firmed.
The rumored revolt OF the Ojinaga
garrison and the assassination or its
commander have been officially de-
MED.
Shippers, presumably Villa sympa-
thizers, fired on a Texas & Pacific
train near the alfalfa switch. east of
l Ell Paso, but no one was injured.
There is no confirmation Of reports
that snipers have picked off members
of the American expedition in Mexico
/ While the censorship was expected to
withhold details of fighting, Villa
bandits were recently reported ahead
of Colonel Dodd's column and unof-
fetal reports of skirmishes were ex-
pected hourly.
Future events were to decide the
basis of fears still generally heard
along the border that before the
Americans can take Villa dead or
alive. all Mexico would rise up in
! arms against the United States ex-
( petition. There has been no indication
! of opposition from the Carranza Of
ficials in Chihuahua, who hoped to
have the bandit facing one of their
| firing squads before the American
\ expedition can close in on him.
II VIII Not Garrison Mexico Cities.
\ General Bertani, placed in COM
mand of the Carranzista pursuit in
the Galeana district where Villa was
last reported seen was seeking Villa
in the Casas Grandes today.
II While Carranzista soldiers were
acting as scouts and otherwise CO.
4 operating in the expedition, General
Gavira, commandant in Juarez, stated
that American troops would not be
permitted to garrison any Mexican
cities or towns during the pursuit of
Villa
Assurances From Carranza.
Washington, March 17.-President
Wilson has received further assur-
2nces from General Carranza that the
de facto government acquiesces in the
American expedition after Villa. 1t
was learned today Carranza has giver
Consul Silhinan additional expressions
of confidence and willingness to CO.
operate IN the pursuit.