The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-12

CONTINUED From First PaEe-D
dent the regular army would bring
out Villa without the aid of the mi
litia.
The Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee informally approved the steps
taken by President Wilson. Repub-
lican members said they thoroughly
approved of sending punitive expe-
dition into Mexico. but reserved their
| views with respect to armed inter-
vention. Should such contingency
| arise, they said. congressional action
must be had.
In the Carranza proposals the naive
argument Ia made that the Villa
bandits crossed the border before the
Columbus raid to escape pursuit by
Carranza forces. No explanation ia
made why there were no Carranza
troops at hand when the small Unit
ed States cavalry force drove Villa
back into Mexico.
Secretary of War Baker expressed
the desire today that the expedition
into Mexico be described as a de
fensive expedition rather than a
punitive attack"
Big Carranxa Force ON Hand.
Al steady stream of kilograms from
the border reached the War Depart
ment during the day. but few were
made public. General Funston re-
ported that 1900 carranza troops,
using a black and white flag to dis
ttnguish them from villistas. reached
Palomas over Columbus. N. M, In
pursuit Of villa.
Funston also reported that eleven
more dead Mexican bodies had been
found on the Mexican side opposite
Columbus, bringing the total OF dead
bodies found up to fifty-seven. He
reported that 1t had been definitely
established that Pablo Lopez, one OF
the bandits killed at Columbus. was
the man who led the bandits at the
Santa Ysabel massacre.
Secretary OF War Baker instruct
ed General Funston to make full use
of the aviation corps in the opera
tons against Villa. This will be the
first time In American warfare that
the aeroplane has been used.
General Funston was instructed to
take all the equipment at Fort Sam
Houston, eight service machines for
use as scouts against villa. The avi-
alton service of the army has been
under fire of Congress and an inves-
tigation Ia now being conducted into
charges OF tneflciency.
Welcomes Opportunity For Service
Colonel Samuel Rober. head of the
aviation service, welcomes this as an
opportunity tor the army. ayiators to
make good.
Consular dispatches to the State De-
partment said that two more Ameri-
cans were missing from a ranch a
short distance from, Colum bus. n.
M. 1t In feared they were killed or
taken prisoners by the Villa forces at
lacking Columbus.
The State Department issued a
warning to Americans not TO enter
the Isthmus OF Tehauntepec Consu-
lar advices from the isthmus said It
was not SAFE for Americans there.
Former Secretary OF War Garrison
continued his conferences with secre-
tary Baker. Late in the day Mr.. Gar
rison Issued signed statement prais-
ing his successor. He said:
Garrison Praises Baker.
Entering upon his duties under
most trying circumstances. Secretary
Baker has taken hold with a vigorous
hand. Being a man of energy, cour-
age and Intelligence. he VIII undoubt-
eddy All the ONCE with credit to him
self and banefft to the country"
Mr., Garrison returned to New York
tonight.
Secretary Baker had planned TO
spend Sunday at his home In Cleve
land, but decided to remain in Wash
ington until the Funston expedition
Is we'll under way.
The War Department was deluged
today with offers from military or
Sanizations and individuals 10 volun-
teer for service In Mexico, Mr.. Baker
said that while the War Department
was gratiied at this demonstration
of patriotism he did not think there
was necessity at this time for larger
force than General Funston has at
present. Army strategfsts are not so
certain that the small force General
Funston has at his command will be
sufficient to bring out villa. The ban
dit chief evaded a much larger force
than the rnited States can at present
send In He Is at home in the noun
tairs of chihuahua and army experts
realize II will be a difficult task to run
him TO earth All officials realize Il
will be more than a spectacular dash
They realize r. NAV be work of
months AMI that once In Mexico. the
United States soldiers nav not return
until they have completely put down
insurrectlon across the Rio Grande.