Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-05-18
Troops Investigating Rumor
That Bandit, With LOO
Men, Is Hiding 70 Miles
South OF Columbus.
CAPITAL FEELS OPTIMISTIC
Take Move of Carranza Troops
to Big Bend Region ais Good
Faith In "Gentleman's
Agreement"

Field Headquarters, near NamiQufpa,
Chihuahua. May Is, (by wireless to
Columbus. N. NJ May 15.-Detach-
ments of American troops today are In
vestigating a rumor that Francisco
Villa, the fugitive bandit leader at the
head of a command Of LOO men is in
hiding In the mountains between
Ascension. Chihuahua, 70 miles south
of Columbus, N. M, and Culberson's
ranch. about 65 miles west Of Colum-
bus on the American side of the from
tier.
Columbus. N. NJ. May 13.-Press re-
ports today brought to Maj. w. r.
Sample, base commander and Col. H. G.
Stckel, commanding the border patrol,
the first intimation that troops OF Gen.
John ]. Pershfng's expeditionary force
had received a rumor that Villa is hid
ing In the Sierra Madres OF northwest
ern Chihuahua.
A detachment of cavalry stationed at
Culbertson ranch reported no knowl-
edge Of the presence of any large body
stationed near Ascension. 1t is assumed
here. Ia on a scouting tour to investi-
gate the rumor. although official re-
ports here said nothing Of such q
movement. With the receipt Of the re-
port 1t was pointed out that 1t had
been persistently rurnored since the
Columbus raids two months 6 that
Villa did not go south with the main
body Of his command.
Washington, May 13.-Dispatch Of l.
500 Carranza troops ~northward toward
the border in the Big Bend district of
Coahuila reported in border advices was
regarded by officials here today as
possibly indicating that the Mexican de
facto government Is making renewed
efforts to capture bandits who have
faided American border towns.
Reports that the expedition might
have a hostile purpose were not re-
garded seriously by administration au-
thorities. They intimated that the ac-
ton tended to strengthen the belief
that American and Mexican military
authorities at Ell Paso had reached an
unwritten agreement on cooperation
along the border to prevent further
bandit raids.
Wilson On Vacation.
There was no evidence among adj
ministration officials OF the greatly in
reased concern over the events at the
border and in Mexico. President Will
son has gone for a week end trip down
Secretary Baker has gone to Atlantic
City and Newark, N. j., and will not re-
turn until Sunday.
The text of General Scott's report Of
his final discussion has not been made
public. There are indications. how
ever, thai he arrived at something in
the nature of a gentleman's UNDER
standing with the Mexican war minis
ter, though it possibly had no more
definite form than a statement by each
side of h steps it purposed taking
toward checking raiding along the
TnypG hnrfnr rnpnma6 uyift fhn nt-
tack on Glenn Springs.
Pending new orders from the presi-
dent 1t was made plain at the war de-
partment that General Pershing's ex-
petition would remain in Mexico
watching developments beyond the
border. Meanwhile mobilization of
national guardsmen from the border
states Inc of additional regulars to
strengthen the border patrol at points
along the 1,800-mile stretch not pro-
tected by the expedition, continues.
Should raidtng be renewed additional
state troops will be called out for bor-
der duty, and wherever the bandits
leave a hot trail the army will not hesi-
tate to pursue them into Mexico.
Prepare for Quick Dashcs.
War department officials aid stress
on the fact that General Funston's or
ders were unchanged. While General
Pershing now is concentrating his
forces along shortened lines, it was
stated positively that he would hurry
south again Immediately II he received
definite information that Villa or any
considerable number Of his band had
gathered at a point within striking
range.
Concentration now in progress was
/, made necessary in part by the ap-
proach Of the rainy season the In
creased difficulties that are TO be ex-
pected in carrying to the front a vast
quantity of supplies needed for troops.
The quartermaster's department es-
Inmates this traffic at 10000 tons a day
exclusive of forage. The horse feed is
being taken care Of by rail shipments
to American merchants in Mexico, and
only incidental delay such as any pri-
vate individual might encounter in the
movement of his personal baggage has
been met SO far, according to an Off
cial statement.
BORDER TALK HAS SHIFTED
TO PANcHO VILLA AGAIN
Ell Paso, Tex, May 13.-With the
conference over, American troop dispo-
= A1 49, l--AN -