The Washington times., 1916-04-02
WAR DEPARTMENT
WITHOUT NEWS Of
VILLA PURSUERS
Belief Persists That Dodd Is on
Heels of Bandit on Noun
tain Trails.
SECRETARY BAKER AT DESK

| Although forty-eight hours since the
rout of Villas forces have elapsed with
out news from the pursuing army, the
belief persists at the War department
| today that the capture uf villa Is Inn
mincnt. II it Is not already an accom-
piTshcd fact
Tho last word received by the War De-
partmcnt was that Dodd's cavalry was
| following every trail into the noun
tains around Guerrero in which the
scattered villa bandits took refuge after
their defeat last Wednesday.
Nillista casualties in the Guerrero bat
tic have been placed at sixty-doublc
the number first rcportcd-in late official
dispatches.
Nothing has been received directly
from General Pcrshlng to indicate the
whereabouts Of villa or to confirm re-
port4 Of the bandits capture.
Baker at His Desk.
Secretary of War, Baker was at his
office until well into the night, and re-
turned this morning to spend most OF
Sunday at work. The only dispatches
ne received were routine I'm nature
None dealt with troop movements.
Army staff officers interpret the alb
sence of news of the villa chase as an
indication that Dodd's cavalry Gon-
tinued their chase into the mountains
after the spectacular defeat of Villas
column. lie has not reported. they
believe, because his flying cavalry
column carries no wireless equipment.
and he has no means of communtca-
ton.
They said that Dodd's troopers nave
a three-day supply OF rations in their
aaddle bags. While those rations last
they do not expect the cavalry to give
up the chase.
Disposition of Villa.
4 question arose today as to the dis
position to he made of villa If he is
captured War Department officials
believed he should he brought back
to New Mexico, tried for the Columbus
murders, and hanged. They believe
that 1t would have a more salutury
erect TO send villa to the Gallows on
the American side OF the border than
to turn him over to CarranZa.
President Wilson is known to favor
turning villa over 70 Carranza for
courtmartial and probable execution.
HS proof of the good faith of the
United states and as an indication
that the United states meant what il
said in its promises not to interfere
with the prerogatives OF the consti-
tuted authorities of Mexico.
Disposition of Guns.
Another question arose over the dis
position TO be made Of the two ma
chine guns end the cavalry horses cap
tured by Colonel podd n his defeat of
Villas forces last Wednesday. Under
ordinary circumstances this would be
the property CT the United States after
CAPTURE. The fact that the United
states FORCES are operating in Mexico,
TRE frit 4
the captured arns ami mounts.
IT IL is shown that the horses cnp-
tured were the same that were taken
from Columbus by villa bandits dur
lng their raid, the American forces MAY
keep the recovered property without
question. 1t was definitely stated that
no American machine guns were can
tured by Villa al Columbus, as was re-
horted at the time; 1t is probable
or these guns viii! be made by the
United States.
Tho State Department has no. con-
hrmation Cf report that Villa in ns
raid or the Guerrero garrison killed
three Americans. a iicrmdn, and al.
Engllshman.
Asks for Trucks.
No officials will credit the report that
Villa had escared from Dodd's cavalry
and was now in the vicinity of Chlhua-
hua negotiating with the Carranza gar
rison for the surrender OF that city.
Army officials believe that Villa knows
his only hope is to find hiding place
in the mountains.
Major General Funston last night
asked that additional motor trucks be
sent TO the border to lcrgthen the
motor train line of communications to
Pcrshing's field base This request was
accepted as an indication that General
Funston intends to be prepared for a
long siege in Mexico If it Is proved that
the current reports of the capture of
Villa are premature.