Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-27
DODD'S COLUMNS
ABOUT ESQ MILES
SOUTH OF BORDER
Pershing Divides Forces So
as to Protect Lines of
Communication.
MAKES DETAILED REPORT
TO GENERAL FUNSTON
Bandit May Be Able to Make
Way Into Mountains Of
Guerrero District.
HARD TO CAPTURE HIM THERE
Aeroplancs to BE Used in Scouting
as Soon as High Winds
SubSidc.
HARD TO CAPTURE HIM THERE
Aeroplancs to BE Used in Scouting
as Soon as High Winds
SubSidc.

SAN ANTONIO TEN. March %
Francisco Villa has escaped from the
Mexican troops that had checked hun
near Namiuuipa, and three columns OF
American cavalry are pursuing him.
Already they are almost $50 miles
south of the border and unless Mex
lean forces bring the elusive bandit TO
a stand. this distance will be greatly
increased by the close OF the week
Villas success in cxtricatirg him.
s"lf from the dangerous position into
which he had been driven by the
American punitive force was related
in "A detailed report by General Per-
shinE that reached General Funston
here to-day.
General Funston forwarded the re.
port to Washington without making
public any but the essential features.
Colonel Dodd is commanding the ad-
ynnced columns that riding hard
after Villa and his men. and General
rershirS has divided his forces
to provide supporting columns along
the thinly stretched lines Of commun.-
cations from his most advanced base
at FL Vale. From lei Vallc. another
line is being maintained back TO Casas
Grardcs from where communication
With the border is maintained. Gen
eral PershlnE. himself is somewhere
south OF Casus Grandes. directing the
work OF holding together his forces
and directing. so far as possible the
operations OF Colonel Dodd. Cavalry
is being used along the lines communi-
eating with FL Valie. where dc,ach-
Inent of infantry is stationed
tEROPLANE TO NE USED
WHEN HIGH WINDS StBSlDU1
Three aeroplanes are at FL Nalle. and
Will be used in scouting as soon as the
high winds that have been sweeping
that part of Mexico for almost week,
subside These winds, absorbing TO
General PcrshinS, have made assist
ance by the aeropianes impossible. OF
the eight machines that went into
Mexico. two are still out OF commits
sion. They were damaged In the flights
from Columbus to Casas Grandce
Details OF the operations about
NamiTutpa that concluded with the cs.
cape OF villa were not revealed, buc
there is little reason to believe that
nc was badly whipped or even weak
ened by the lighting directed against
hin, by the de facto government troops.
Reports last week from Mexican
N"'NN'7 'i'biNttCd lHtl uC nDG OcEN
severely defeated by the Carranza
forces. and "A few reports said that
American troops had participated in
the action. 1t now appears that no
Americans were actually engaged, ana
the fact that Villa made his way
through what was described AS an en-
c!rcling line OF Mexican troops was
taken 10 indicate that he was ,hs
victor.
Unless fresh Mexican forces are sent
to meet Villa there appears no reason
whE ne should not make his way up-
interrupted int" the mountains of tho
Guerrero district, towards which he
appears to be moving
his CAPTURE THERE
WILL he DIFFICULT
once there it is conceded his can
ture wilt he difficult. and shouid h.
choose to pass through the district on
into the south there are trails ovor
which ne might move his little army
until Juncturc is made with ono or
more of his rowing organisations In
Southern Chihuahua or Northern Du-
range
II Villa moves into the districts fur.
'her south, more troops will be neccs.
sary to capture him, AMI their pro-
fisioninE by way OF country roads VIII
occome practically an impossibilitv
fittE-four more auto trucks went
INTO service to-day along the line be-
tween Columbus and Casas C;randes
ana twenty seven more were reported
10 he on their way from the factory.
nnt Dad weather and heavy roads make
uncertain that method OF getting sum
phcS to the front. The escape OF villa
aud his renewed flight towards tho
south. officers say. make the use oil a.
least one OF the railroads. and possibly
ooth. from Juarez TO Chihuahua. almost
essential TO the success OF the chase