The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-04-08
TROOPS CLOSING
IN ON VILLA BAND
Bandit Chief Reported as Turn
ing hOrthWard to Escape
His PurSuerS.
HAS LEADER Been WOUNDED
Dispatches from Interior Mexico Say
Villa Was Shot in Leg-SIeW a
Garrison of Soldiers.

San Antonio, Tex, March 31.-After
killing every ore Of the 172 men in
the garrison at Guerrero, Francisco
Villa moved northward yesterday and
now is somewhere near the head
waters of the Santa Maria river, &C
cording to unofficial information Sc
cured by General Funston tonight. At
the head of a considerable force, Villa
was reported to be on the San GerOn-
imo ranch or the Quemada ranch, and
troops of both the United States and
Mexico were believed to be closing in
on him.
This information was regarded by
General Funston and his staff as prob
ably correct. If correct, it appeared
probable that very soon Villa either
will have to face his pursuers in fight
or make another break through the
Tightening line of troops. Whether his
assault on the garrison at Guerrero
was the same engagement reported by
General Pershing was not known, but
it was considered likely, since the ac-
ton reported by General Pershing oc-
Cured March 81 somewhere IN that re-
gion- Details of the engagement were
not reported.
Bandits Located.
General Pershing has been advised
of the report as to Villas location and
it is known that the disposition Of his
troops and that of the Mexican gov
eminent are such that Villa cannot
easily escape without a fight. Ameri-
can troops are conVerging in columns
from the north and it was indicated
that part of them had gone so far
south that they would be able to join
with the Carranza forces in preventing
his escape in that direction.
Villa Reported Wounded.
FL Paso, Tex, March 31.-Genera1
Gabriel Gavina, Carranza commander
at Juarez, said tonight he had received
a message from Madero, Mexico, which
stated that Villa had been shot in the
leg. General GaYira said the message
came from what he considered a re-
liable source, but that he had wired
General Bertani at MADEIRA for con-
drmation.
Can Use Mexican Railway.
FL Paso, Tex, March 3o.-The first
train bearing supplies to General Per
shing's troops at the front probably
will leave Juarez tomorrow. Immed-
lately on receipt of the news from
Washington that General Carranza had
permitted the use of the Mexico North
western Railroad for the sending of
supplies final preparations were
rushed by the Quartermaster' depart
ment for the forwarding of forage,
food supplies and gasoline.
Carranza, confning shipments to goods
sent to concerns in Mexico, who have
contracts with the expeditionary force,
caused some disappointment among
army officers. 1t was feared that
these restrictions, coupled with the
fact that military guards could not ac-
company the trains, might seriously
hamper the transmission of an ade-
quate stream Of supplies.
Pershing Plans Dash.
Columbus, N. NJ, March 29.-Prep-
arations for closing in on Francisco
Villa in a quick, thoroughly prepared
cavalry drive were being pushed for
ward rapidly today at the field head
quarters of Brigadier General J. J.
Pershing, expeditionary commander.
a DOQy Oh p1Ch0O CdNdlTyM0n has
been concentrated and is now in re-
serve at the front somewhere south Of
Namiquipa on the northeastern edge
OF the Guerrero district.
Hold Up Gasoline.
Washington, March 29.-Diplomatic
and domestic aspects of the Mexican
problem overshadowed its military
| side here tonight, official reports from
General Funston disclosing no change
| in the situation on the border or in
| Mexico. Congress rushed through an
emergency appropriation of 1851, 500
to pay for the pursuit OF the bandits
and the state department prepared to
press General Carranza for permission
| to use Mexican railways to solve the
troop supply problem.
Try to Corner Villa.
Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mexico,
March % (by wire1ess) .-Villa is fly
| ing southwest toward the foothills OF
the Sierras. According to army re-
ports received here today, the rapid
ity of his flight is precipitating the
American pursuit. All arms Of the
service are being used in an attempt
attempt to force the bandit into
| corner.