Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-31
GENERAL BELL SEES GAvIRA

Ell PASO. Tex, March 30.-Gen-
eral Bell, General Gavira and Mexi-
can Consul Garia held conference
relative to the movement Of supplies
over the Mexican Northwestern rail
way. Afterward General Bell re-
fused to discuss the conference,
saying he was under orders to main
tain secrecy.
Major Elliott said today he has
already shipped from El Paso sup
plies sufficient TO eed the eXpedi-
tionary forces in Mexico for thirty
days. Part of these supplies already
is at Casas Grandes, part is nearing
the field base and the remainder
would be there before long, the
major said.
Merchants Of FL Paso and its vicinity
are besiegng the army for contracts.
They offer to ship unlimited supplies
south, the government to assume the
risk. To all of them Major Elliott re-
plies that they are free to transport
stuff to CRsas Grandes. but must do so
at their own risk They are told, how
ever. that the field quartermaster will
probably purchase such goods IL they
reach their destination.
VIII Keep Motor Line Open.
SAN ANTONIO. Tex. March sO-Al-
though military supplies viii be offered
the MANAGEMENT of the Northwestern rail
way at Jusrez today for shipment to the
IL,
army headquarters here regard the con
ditional use of the railroad as so ex-
perimental that the motor truck line from
Columbus. n. NJ. will be maintained
IL supplies shipped as commercial
freight and unguarded en- route by Amer
ican troops arrive at destination with
reasonable regularity and without serious
delay, the base at Columbus will he
moved to El Paso and the line of com
munication from the New Mexican bor-
der to Casas Grandes will be shifted east
ward.
1t was indicated at General Funston s
headquarters that the use Of the Juarez-
Chihuahua line of the National railways
would be asked for II the bad condition
of the Northwestern made It impossible
to handle supplies properly or IL the
Z
porting line engaged i'm the pursuit OF
Francisco Villa made advisable the use
of shorter and more direct route for
supplies 1t was suggested that II Car
rama did not object to the use Of the
Northwestern, he probably would not OBJ
ject to the use OF the other line.
II demonstrated that supplies are being
held up or interfered with on their way
to the front, General Funston. it IS ex-
pected. again will urge that permission
be secured to place escorts on trains
carrying them.
Tells Funston to Talk Less.
Whether specific orders had been sent
to General. Bell to begin shipping sup
/ plies under the terms OF Carranza's per-
mission was not stated at headquarters
where It was indicated that the War de-
partmcnt had intimated to General Fun
stOn that he preserve greater silence
/ on subjects connected with the opera
tions in Mexico
! No report from General Pershing indi-
eating any change in the situation south
OF Casss Grandes was received.
/ Miguel r. Davila, an agent Of the de-
partment of the interior In Mexico who
arrived here today from Queretaro, said
! he saw General Luis Herrera there three
days ago. General Herrera, who re-
Gently was reported to have rebelled
against Carranza. went from chihuahua
to Queretaro on a special train to talk
20 Carranza about securing more sup
plies for his forces In Chihuahua.
The only dispatches received at head
quarters from General Pershing today
deal with routine matters and contain
no mention OF fight with villa or in
timation that he has been trapped.