New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-12
PURSUIT OF VILLA
TO BEGIN TO-DAY
Funston Prepares for Re-
lentleSS Hunt After the
Columbus Raiders.


Washington, March 1l.-Unleashed
from Washington red tape, the army
under command OF Major General
Funston is being moved at the border,
preparatory 70 entering Mexico in at
least three columns by Sunday night
or Monday morning. with view Of
surrounding and destroying the bandit
army of Francisco Villa.
War department officials, who had
given the border commander free
hand IN working out details Of tho ex-
petition, made il clear they regarded
1t imperative TO success that all In
formation, which might aid Villa in
eluding the American forces, aust BE
guarded scrupulousV.
II was apparent only that the mill
tary plans contemplated a drive into
Mexico that should be both quick and
certain. The War Department is will
ing 20 take no chances By weakening
the border patrol, and General Funs.
tons orders were not to move until ho
was fully prepared.
Silent as to Invasion Plans.
Secretary Baker and his chief
subordinates remained at the War De
psrtment until late tonight receiving
dispatches from General Funston and
doing everything in their power to back
up his plans. Many Of the dispatches
were forwarded By wireless to Presi-
dent Wilson, down the Potomac on the
Mayhower But whether troops had
entered Mexico or just when they
might move across the border the Off
cials would not say.
General Funston has been informed
that troops will be placed at his dis
posal upon request up to the entire
mobile army Of the United States
amounting 10 about $4,000 men. He has
authority TO cross the line with his ex-
pedition when he is ready, without fur
ther orders from Washington.
Funston Asks for Troops.
General Funston asked the War De-
partment late tonight for four addi-
tional regiments OF cavalry for patrol
duty on the border General Scott
chief Of staff, Immediately issued or.
ders for the 1st Cavalry, Monterey
Cal; the llth Cavalry. Fort Ogle-
thorpe, Ga, and the 18th Cavalry, Rob
inson, Neb., to proceed at once 10 the
border. The 5th Cavalry. which "a
divided into three squadrons, stationed
at Fort Myer, Va; Fort Sheridan, Ill.,
and Fort Leavenworth. Kan, was or
dered to hold itself in readiness -
move. General Funston said the .th
Regiment was not needed Immediately
Army officers estimated II would take
from three TO FIVE days for the three
cavalry regiments 10 reach the border
The regiment from Monterey, Cal
probably will be first 70 arrive.
While no announcement was made
General Funston intended 10 employ
the four cavalry regiments now on duty
along the border, both 70 the east and
west of Columbus. as part Of his expe-
ditionary force which, II is understood
will be under the direct command OF
Brigadier General Pershing. A regi-
ment of mountain artillery. with It's
twenty-four guns packed on mules. also
is available in that district, and this
force. with necessary engineers 20 re-
pair railroad bridges destroyed by the
bandits and with aeroplane scouts
probably will constitute the expedition,
Force About 1000 Strong.
The force would number. If composed
of four cavalry regiments and battal-
ion of mountain artillery. approximate
ly 1000 fighting men, exclusive OF en-
gineers and other auxiliary troops. In
a recent report TO the department Gen
eral Funston estimated Villas force al
5000. although some officers here have
placed the figure as high as 5000.
II IS taken for granted ~ officers
here that the Villa bands already have
scattered among the hills, and they dc
not look for a pitched battle, which
they say. would mean certain annih!la'
tion Of the bandits.
Any movement the American troops
make in the territory south md south
west Of Columbus. into whicn the raid
ers fed, will be Influenced by the loca
tion of water holes. pumping stations
and other places where horses and men
can obtain water in a dry and sandy
country. 10 was said here that the
commander OF the expedition probably
would station guards at the w,tcr holes
Continued on page ., column l