The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-04-01
WASHINGTON HOPES
 FOR EARLY CAPTURE

Washington, D. C., April 1-OficiaIs of the War Department, although re- a1izing fully that it is not always safe to ttcount your chickens before they are hatched,'' expressed the view that the successful termination of the Mex ican expedition can be expected much sooner than had been hoped for or igina11y.s With Villa wounded seri- ously, his command shattered and the Carranza forces certain that the ban dits are all the American troops are after, the death or capture of the raiding leader is regarded as not fat distant
 Congress stopped business and cheered the news of the dash of the American troopers. President Will Secretary Baker, and the Secretary sent m essages of congratulation to Major General Funston to be conveyed to Brigadier General Pershing and Colonel Dodd. The first smashing blow at the bandits was what all of fcia1s had expected of Brigadier Gen era1 Pershing's season troopers, but few of them had hoped it would come so soon.
 Brigadier General Pershing's de- spatch with the news of the fight reached the War Department late Ir, the afternoon. It reported the results in terse sentences.
 
 pIoit of Colonel Dodd and his men was expressed. Secretary Bakers congratulations were sent in this message from Major General NScott, chief of staff, to Major .Generak F.uns- ton on the border:
 Secretary of War desires you to convey to General Pershing and Col oneI Dodd and command his hearty congratulations on exploit
 In behalf of the President, the White House authorized a similar ex- pression- In Congress, the news caus- ed a demonstration of cheers and ap- plause in the House, when Speaker Clark interrupted proceedings for reading of Brigadier- General Persh- ing's despatch. Debate on the army increase bill was halted in the Senate for the reading of the telegram, sent to the Vice Presidents desk by Sena- tor Warren, of Wyoming. Brigadier- General Pershings father-in-law.
 Officials anxiously awaited further news. Army officers believed it prob able that in the>~48 hours since the fight there has been further slxir- mishes with the hard pressed out laws, and possibly that even Villa. him self had been found.
 Secretary Baker issued the follow ing statement:
 faThe success of Colonel Dodd in Catching up with the retreating ban dits and dispersing them shows the value and effectiveness of the careful preparations made by General Funs- ton as we'll as the dash and vigor with which Colonel Dodd himself and the members of his command have un- dertakenx their task.
 'It is matter of great qualification to us all that the first encounter is so decisive and that our own troops have suffered so slightly. The effect on both sides of the border will undoubt- edly be good; it will allay apprehen- sion on the American side by showing the rapidity and effectiveness with which our army acts, and among the Iexican people it will show the sin g1eness of our purpose and discourage other bandits from sympathetic demonstrations.
 '"This comes as a very adequate answer to those who feared that it would encourage marauders, and gives strong ground to hope that the entire object of the expedition cant be speedily accomplished
 Army men here were disposed to divide the credit for the action be- tween Brigadier General Pershing and Colonel Dodd. Brigadier- General Pershing doubtless directed the move ments which culninated in the sur prise attack, but Colonel Dodd and his cavalry aroused the admiration of off, cers at headquarters by the splendid riding and fghting~they did.