The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-23
PERSHING
USES MEX
RAILROAD
q. S. General Sends Troops by
Rail to MADEIRA.
Believe Carranza Consents, but
Is Kept Secret.
TO OPERATE PROVISION TRAINS
Expect Villas 1000 New Allies
to Strike at Once.
VIII Try to Cut on Aid to Gen.
Pershing'S Expedition.
MORE SOLDIERS TO BORDER
Herrera, Revolt Leader, Has
Cream of Mexican Army.
Situation Tense; Fear More
DefactOs VIII Desert.
Expect Villas 1000 New Allies
to Strike at Once.
VIII Try to Cut on Aid to Gen.
Pershing's Expedition.
MORE SOLDIERS TO BORDER
Herrera, Revolt Leader, Has
Cream of Mexican Army.
Situation Tense; Fear More
DefactOs VIII Desert.

Ell Paso, March 23.-Rumors
of revolution among Carran-
zista troops against cooperation
in the pursuit of Villa, their old
leader, were supplanted today by
the report that the American eX-
pedition has taken over the Mex
lean railways to speed up the
man hunt.
Indications that the step was TAX
en- with the consent of the de facto
government were seen in the report
that Colonel BertaIi with 200 men left
Casas Grandes today on a military
train for MADEIRA Brigadler General
Pershing took charge of the Mexico
Northwestern from Casas Grandes to
MADEIRA three days ago, it became
known today. The action was kept
secret until today.
Did Villa Escape?
II American infantry were moved to
MADEIRA, as reported, they must now
be south of villa. although the alb
sence Of any information as to his
whereabouts leads to the belief that
he has escaped the trap.
II was also unOfficially reported
that the United States army would be-
gin the operation of provision trains
on the Mexico Northwestern from
Juarez within the next twenty-four
hours
Final negotiations were in progress
today for American railroad equip
ment to be used over the Mexican line.
In the local yard, preparations were
being made to turn over cars and loco
motives to the army.
Credit Revolt Rumor.
The transportation of heavy army
supplies over the Chihuahua desert
and mountains for distance of nearly
200 miles by automobile and wogan
trains became impracticable. How
the privilege of using the Mexican rail-
roads was obtained is not known here
outside of army circles.
With telegraph and railway commu-
nication intact, the absence of official
denial of Luis Herrera's revolt at Chi
huahua City was generally credited
here.
The rumored detection of Colonel
CanO and 800 Carranzista troops who
were in touch with villa last Monday,
while still unconfiTmed. was also gen
orally believed in the absence of Off
cial dispatches to the contrary.
Rapid Action Among Troops.
San Antonio, March 23.-Orders go
ing from Fort Sam Houston today
provide for rapid action at various
points along the border should newly
arisen rebellions in Mexico make it
necessary. GeneTdl unSIOn was not
altogether convinced early this morn
ing of the truth of the report that
General Luis Herrera, the deposed
military commander at Chihuahua,
had entered the field with Villa
against the United States. but the
repetition of the story in different
places and the absence of acceptable
evidence to the contrary causing him
and his staff to regard it as probably
true
III
El Reno by General Bell was done
without orders from Headquarters
here, but it is known that General Bell
has authority to go far in the exercise
of his own judgment in meeting an
extraordinary situation.
Staff officers of General Funston
studied a more extended area of north
ern Mexico today. The probable moves
of Herrera and his 1000 men were
carefully considered and at every
point along the border where they
might disturb the peace of those on
the American side careful note was
taken of the positions of American
troops and the time it would take to
get them to the scene.
Will Harass Pershing.
That phase of the situation did not
alarm the army officers, however. who
believed that if Herrera really has re-
Volted that his activities will be con-
fined to operations that have for their
object the strengthening of Villas
bands and the harassing of General
Pershtng's force. 1t was feared that
one of his earlier moves would be the
cutting of the Northwestern railway
over which General Funston hopes to
receive permission to move supplies to
the American troops. now almost 200
miles into Mexico. To prevent this
move General Funston is powerless
and II is doubted if Carranza's s troops
are in position to oppose Herrera.
reports at headquarters that Cen
eraI Gavira's garrison at Juarez was
about to revolt and that the troops at
Torreon were manifesting disa ffection
were regarded with apprehension at
the fort The Mexican consul here
continued to deny their truth and re-
Grated his assertion that Herrera
q not taken the field
Nrly morning report at Fort Sam
'n did not indicate any marked