The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-03-24
PERSHINC ASKS
FOR FRESH men
Fifth Regiment Is Being Hurried
to Border. 80 :.
AMERICANS IN CRAVE Peril
Lines of Communication Are Two
Hundred Miles Long-Mex. cans Are
on All Sides of Invading Columns
Pershins's Forces Greatly Fatisued
Villa Escapes Trap.

Pershins's Forces Greatly Fatisued
Villa Escapes Trap.
Washington, Mar. 22.-At the re-
quest of Major General Funston, the
war department issued orders to the
Fifth cavalry to proceed at once tc
the border.
At present the regiment is distrib-
uted into squadrons at Fort Sheridan,
H., Fort Leavenworth, Kan, and Fort
Meyer, Va. These troops have been
under waiting orders since last week.
They will get under way Immediately.
| The squadron at Fort Meyer left on
the Southern railway and is due to
reach the border the latter part OF
| this week.
Whether the Fifth is to go into
| Mexico at once, or is to take the place
| of other troops sent to reinforce Gen.
eral Pershing, was not announced. 1t
ii understood, however, that Pershing
has asked for more infsntry and that
the Fifth cavalry will take the place
OF the Twenty-third infantry or some
der climate.
Pershins' Demands lnsistent.
San Antonio, Mar 22-General
Pershing, hard on the heels of the
bandit Villa, has sent pressing de-
mands for more cavalry and his de-
mands impelled General Funston to
request the war department at Wash
% ,0l.
now stationed at Fort Meyer. Fort
Sheridan and Fort Leavenworth.
A week ago General Pershing ask
ed for an additional regiment Of cav
airy, but General Funston then
thought the troops under his direct
command would be sufficient to round
up Villa. 1t is understood here that
several times General Pershing has
repeated his request for reinforce
ments and Tuesday his demands be-
came so imperative that Funston was
moved to action.
Pershing's Men Fatigued.
Pershing's command is understood
to be in bad shape from constant hard
riding since the border was crossed.
Forced marches across the burning
desert and night dashes through wa
terless wastes have worn down both
horses and men. II Is believed here
that the demand for more troops was
inspired more by the urgency of al
lowing his weary command to rest
than by the actual need of more men
in running down Villa.
American Forces In Peril.
Galveston, Tex, Mar. 22.-The
American forces under Colonel Dodd
and Brigadier General Pershing are
completely surrounded by hostile
Mexican forces and are liable to be
annihilated, according to information
reaching here. Confidential dispatches
declare that Funston IS expecting SER
ioIs trouble with CaTanza troops. It
Is believed that Carranza himself will
do all possible to aid in the capturing
of Villa. but that the leaders under
him will join the opposition at any
time the opportunity presents itse T.
Villa Escapes One Trap.
Ell Paso. Mar. %. The battle be-
tween Francisco Villas army and the
Carranzistas Is still in progress. Villa
Is slowly retreating in a southernly
direction from Namiquipa into the
Sierra Madre mountains. AS far as
General Gavira, our commander at
Juarez, can learn, our troops have not
captured any of Villas men,"
This statement was made by Next
can Consul Andres Garcia. Villa Is de-
clared to have escaped the column
sent by Pershing to the gap through
the mountain pass to Babicora Lake.
He is fighting his way into the plateau
country about forty miles south OF
Babicora. He is said to know this
country better than any. man alive.
Fort Sheridan Troops to Front.
Chicago, Mar. 22.-The first squad
ron Of the Fifth cavalry, under COM
mand Of Colonel ID. l.. Tate, stationed
at Fort Sheridan, and the second
squadron of the Fifth cavalry, under
command Of Lieutenant Colonel F. NJ.
Mcclure, stationed at Fort Leaven-
worth, Kan. were ordered to report
to General Frederick Funston. They
are to report at division headquarters
ut Ell Paso as soon as possible. The
order came within an hour Of Gen.
eral Funston's request to the war de.
partment for more men.
Orders to send the necessary equip
ment to entrain the troops at Fort
Sheridan were received at the offices
of the general superintendent of the
Chicago and Northwestern railroad.
The train was to be sent to the sta.
ton as soon as possible.