The Sunday telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1914-1927, 1916-04-02
WAR DEPARTMENT is
KEEPING NIGHT WATCH

WASHINGTON, April AL
though no word came through today
from General Pershing's expedition
force in Mexico. there was a grow
ing confidence here taat the expedi-
tion was RAPIDLY nearing, If II had not
already reached. Us rlinaS. Three
days have passed sinca Colonel Dodd's
cavalry dash Mt Guerrero scattered
Villas main command and cstab.
lished definitely the presence in that
locality OF villa himself; and army
officers are certain that the American
troopers did not allow the trail to
grow cold.
Interesting Rumor.
The hope for the early capture Of
the bandit chief was Increased to-
night, by rumor reaching General
Gavlra, Carranza commander Mt Juar-
ez. that Dood's flying column had
netted the fugitive. The war de-
pertinent had no information to con-
Arm the report. officials pointed
out, however, that General Gavira
had news of the Guerrero fight hours
before General Pershing's account
reached General Funston. The Car
rama authorities have control Of the
telegraph lines. and with Carranza
troops operating near Guerrero, have
facilities for prompt reports on the
American operations. A night watch
was maintained tonight at the war
department in the hope that further
dispatches from Pershing would be
received. Secretary Baker wired
General Funston to endeavor to get
further details OF the Guerrero en-
gagement and inquired especially re-
garding the condition of the four cav
alrymen reported slightly wounded.
1t was believed their injuries were so
trivial that General Pershing re-
Trained from forwarding their names.
Dotld in Remote Part.
Colonel Dodd is far from a point
of communication, at the least City
or seventy-five miles. While hc
probably halted his trcups for brief
respite after their fifty five mile lash,
followed by running fight Of five
hours, officers here do not believe he
tarried long. Difficulty in securing
supplies and water at their distance
from the main command of General
Pershing may have handicapped him,
but probably did not delay the chase
many hours.
Initiation of the agreement by
which the American troops would
have temporary use of the Mexican
northwestern railway, pending rati-
fication OF more comprehensive
protocol, apparently has been halted,
through failure of the Carranza au-
thorities at Juarez to receive instruc-
lions regarding it. Secretary Baker
said today he had not modified his
structions to General Fun
ston to tender supplies for shipment
to the railway authorities. The last
information from General Funston
was that General Gavira was await
ing instructions from General Carran-
"a. who agreed to the arrangement
several days ago, to put 1t into actual
eject.
Not to Press Carranza.
State and war department: officials
reiterated tonight their intention to
await results Of fair trial of the
tentative arrangement, before press
ing Carranza for further concessions
to secure shipment Of supplies. The
question whether General Funston
may furnish guards or whether the
Carranza government shall supply
such protection for supply shipments
is considered n possible factor in the
delay. Some officials believe the pro-
tocol will be arranged before actual
shipments are begun.
The possibility that the American
troops may contract typhus fever.
which is epidemic upon the grand
plateau OF Mexico, caused the war
department to issue special bulle-
tin today warning the troopers to
guard against infection. The bulle-
tin says the soldiers should observe
the closest attention to their personal
cleanliness and under no circum-
stances occupy native unfumigated
houses or use native clothing or bed
ding.
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