Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-05-17
Troops Investigating Rumor
That Bandit. With 100
Men, Is Hiding 10 Miles
South of Columbus.
CAPITAL FEELS OPTIMISTIC
Take Move of Carranza Troops
to Big Bend Region as Good
Faith In 'Gentleman's
Agreement"


Field Headquarters. near Namiquipa.
Chihuahua. May l3. Iby wireless to
Columbus. n. M..) May 15.-Detach-
ments of American troops today are in
~ve0igating a rumor that Francisco
Villa, the fugitive bandit leader at the
head of a of 1,1O0 men is in
hiding in the mountains between
Ascension, Chihuahua, 20 miles south
of Columbus, N. M, and Culberson's
ranch. about Go 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.
Slckel. commanding the border patrol.
the first intimation that troops OF Gen.
John j. Pershing's expeditionary force
had received a ru1nor that Villa is hid
ern Chihuahua.
A detachment of cavalry stationed at
Culbertson ranch reported no knowl-
edge Of the presence of n large body
of Mexicans in that vicinity. Cavalry
stationed near Ascension. 1t is assumed
here. is on a scouting tour to investi-
gate the rumor. although official re-
ports here said nothing Of such q
movement. With h receipt of the re-
port 1t was pointed out that 1t had
Columbus raids two months ago that
villa did not go south with the main
body Of his command.
Washington. May 13.-Dispatch Of L.
500 Carranza troops In 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
raided American border towns.
Reports that the expedition might
nave a hostile purpose were not re-
garded seriously by administration au-
thorities. They intimated that the ac-
tion tended to strengthen the belief
that American n 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
m1nistration officials Of the greatly in
creased concern over the e at the
border and in Mexico. President Will
son has gone for a week end trip down
the Cheseapeak bay on the Mayflower
Secretary Baker has gone to Atlantic
City and Newark. N. j., and will not re.
turn until Sunday.
The text of General SCOTS report of
his final discussion has not been made
public. There are indications, how
| ever, that 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
l q of what steps it purposed taking
toward checking raiding along the
Texas border, renewed with the at.
tack on Glenn Springs.
Pending new orders from the presi-
dent it 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 and of additional regulars to
strengthen the border patrol at points
along the 1.800-mile stretch not pro
tected by the expedition. continues.
Should raiding be renewed additional
state troops will be called out for Dor.
der duty, and wherever the bandits
tate to pursue them into Mexico.
Prepare for Quick Dashcs.
War department officials laid 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 if hi received
definit information tina 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 and 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-
l Inmates this fra ffi0 of on 0O0 IONS n <lo.,
I 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.