The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-04-20
CARRANzA OPPOSITION
continued rom Page one.I

INFORMED
given most serious considerations
Nothing has come from Mr.. Rodgers
since to indicate that the defacto gov
eminent was dissatisfied over the de-
lay in assembling data upon which
full answer to its note may be based
Hear of Brigand Raids.
Another message today told of addi-
region which Americans are leaving
The disorder was described as due to
bands of thieves taking advantage OF
disturbed conditions
General Pershing's Headquarters
Near Namiquipa, April IT, by Aero
plane to Columbus, n. NJ, April 90
Carranzista opposition has brought the
American pursuit of Villa to a stand
still. This was the definite informa-
ton gathered at headquarters today.
That the position of the expedition
is now one of positive danger. is the
official attitude at General Pershing's
headquarters.
In addition to the Carranzista OPP
position, it is announced that as the
expeditionary forces push south into
Villas old haunts, the United States
troops encountered serious opposition
from the native Mexicans.
Natives Hostile to Troops.
Shipping and attacks on small bodies
of troops and transport trains, re-
fusal to sell provisions and misinfor-
nation regarding the movements of
Villa were some of the difficulties in
terposed by citizens.
The leaders of the expeditionary
forces are just as determined as ever
to get Villa but as one said: DE
termination doesn't necessarily mean
success"
Villa was last officially reported
passing Parral. Carranzistas reported
two stiff brushes with him in that
-fofr, hut in ic11f Of lot re
headquarters does not believe the fight
took place.
ParraI Incident. Dire Plot.
AT General Pershing's headquarters
the Parral incident is now regarded as
an attempt to entrap and wipe out the
entire detachment of Major Tompkins
The feeling here is also strong that I'M
| less the leaders of the expedition are
given more troops, the main object of
| the eXpedition-the capture of Villa
will be defeated.
The Carranzistas are charged BY
leaders of the expedition with refusing
cooperation. giving the United States
troops miSinformation and hindering
the rapid pursuit of villa by withhold
| ing permission of unlimited use of
| railways.
Belief of Villas Death Grows.
Ell Paso. April 2O.-The growing
belief that Francisco Villa is dead,
whether or not his body has been re-
covered, was strengthened today by
messag es received by American min
| ing concerns here from their agents
! at Cusihuiriachic, Parral, Santa Bar
bara and Guerrero. All of the mes
sages agreed that the report of Villa
death was common among the poems
in northern Chihuahua. and was gen.
orally accepted as true.
One story sent to the head of a min
ing concern operated in the Guerrero
district by his mining superintendent
was positive that Villa had been bur-
lie. in the neighborhood of San Borja,
the hamlet where the grave of the
bandit had been reported found. His
story gave a number of details regard
ing Villa but it was discounted by the
fact that it related to the alleged muir
der of an American woman by the
bandits, just prior to his death. AS
all American women who have been in
northern Chihuahua during the last
year have been accounted for little
credence was put in this feature of the
story.
Maj. Gen. Scott Goes to Border.
Washington, April 2O.-Major Cen
eral Hugh L. Scott, commandments
chief of the general staff of the army,
was on his way today to the border as
the personal representative Of Seer e.
tary Baker to report on the military
problems confronting General Fun
ston. General SCOTS report on
which the Washington government
| final action on General Carranza's re-
port that the American expeditionary
forces in Mexico be recalled, probably
/ will depend to a great extent, is not
expected under a week or ten days
Meanwhile. no decision on the qucs-
ton is looked for unless further out
breaks against the American troops
demand immediate action
State department officials who for
the last few days have devoted their
attention almost wholly to the German
situation were expected to begin work
today on some of the questions in
volved in the forthcoming reply to
Carranza. These conditions will be
worked out before General Scott's re-
port is received If possible.
Scott to Decide.
San Antonio. April 2O.-Early
withdrawal of the troops sent into
Mexico or the authorization of mill
tary operations on a large scale must
be the result of General Hugh L.
SCOTS investigation of the situation
in the opinion of army officers here
General Funston and his staff are
the written records of the attempt
to catch Villa and are prepared tc
place him in touch with the unwritten
evidence.
6eheral HerShlng rs not pushlng MS
campaign against Villa and will not
until he gets from headquarters au-
thority and facilities to operate more
freely. Officers here believe the facts
in the case. showing the futility of ex-
tending operations along the existing
lines, will convince Secretary Bakers
envoy of the hopelessness of further
pursuit unless the commanding Off
Ger in Mexico is given more effective
backing.
Must Fight All Factions.
Villa--if he is yet alive-c5n bt
caught, officers here believe, but only
by adoption of a plan that Mexicans
generally almost certainly would
characterize as a war. He has pene.
trated so far into Mexico and the hos
tility of Mexicans, both friends OF
Villa and adherents of the de factC
government, has become so marked
that American army officers are con
Yinced further operations must be IN: