Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-16
AMERICAN ARMY
ENTERS MEXICO
WITHOUT A SHOT
Pershing Crosses Border at Columbus
About Noon with Practically
ALI His Forces Peace
fully.
FUNSTON ANNOUNCES PASSAGE
Carranza Troops Join United States
Troops and Accompany Them
on Southwark.
FEW DETAcHMENTs REMAINING


Ell PAso. Tex. March 1b.--
American troops were on Mexican
soil tonight sixty miles west of here.
The vanguard Of an expedition gath
cred in less than week, but never
theless one Of the most powerful
country since the war between the
states.
They were out on the identical
hills where one week ago tonight
Pancho villa led 1,20 OF his bandits
stealthily up to the American border.
to make an early rush upon the
sleeping American city OF Columbus
N. NJ, and murdered seventeen
Americans, eight OF them soldiers
and one a woman.
Direction MystePy.
From how many hundreds OF
miles this force had been assembled.
the elements OF its armament. its
numbers and the direction or direc-
tions in which it's various. columns
went after they passed the interna-
tlonal line was a secret held by the
military censorship.
The one important fact that the Ameri-
cans had gone into Mexico again was an
event witnessed by hundreds Of spectators
who crowded into Columbus. They saw
the troops move off toward the imaEinary
boundary line. until when the mon crossed
they were Tiny but distinct brown lines
in the distance In the clear western air.
Az the troops passed farther into low
gravel hills clouds OF white dust hid the
men and their further movements AZ
effectually as the censorship. Brilliant
sunshine occasionally caught the flash Of
the soldiers accoutrements
Behind the troops who moved forward
new regiments rapidly filled the vacated
camps In Columbus. The Eleventh cavalry
from Fort oElethorpe. Ca. was one of
the new arrivals.
Air Fleet Loaded.
The new regiments expected to follow.
bu their officers would not say how soon
nor from what points, The disposition
Of the First aeroplsne squadron. which
passed west through here last night
loaded on flat cars, was enc Of the most
interesting OF the military secrets, being
the first actual campaign test OF this new
arm OF the service.
Unofficial reports came into ii Paso
that about fifty miles west OF Columbus.
near Hachita, N. NJ. another column had
gathered ana probably had entered Mox-
leo. Nothing mora definite than the fact
OF this columns existence was eatab-
lished, despite reports that these troops
might have gone in first
PershInass Men Cross DordeR.
1
eral John J. Pershing. with more than
1000 troops. began the pursuit into Mex
leo today OF Francisco Villa. General
Pershing report that he and his COM
mand had crossed the international
boundary line just south OF Columbus
reached General Frederick Funston late
today
Reports OF progress IN the country
where the search has been begun will be
made by General Pershing 70 General
Funston. but II is not expected these will
be frequent or deal with any but the
more important developments. How far
into Mexico the column had reached to-
night was unknown here, Not until after
kriday are sharp developments expected.
Colonel George A. Dodd. heading n
smaller column that entered Mexico some
distance west OF Columbus. also IL moving
Ina southerly direction, and these two
forces should be within touch OF each
other before the end OF the week. BY
that time IT Is expected an infantry sup
port win hold the line OF communication
along which motor trucks for the trans
portation Of ammunition and supplies will
be operated
Censorship stilI in Force.
Although the censorship imposed by
General Funston was relaxed tonight. ef-
forts still were made 10 keep secret the
details OF the plan OF the campaign.
General Pershing's report Of his en-
trance into Mexico served to dispel to a
great extent fears that had been enter
tained I'm some quarters that resistance
would be offered by the troops OF the
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