Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-12
FUNSTON MAKING
PLANS TO CHASE
VILLA BANDITS
Expedition Which is to Be in Conn
mand Of a General Not Yet
Named Will Start in q
Short Time.
WILL TAKE AERO SQUADRON
Troops from Other Divisions VIII Be
Added to Forces Now Guarding
the Border.
VILLA IS AT BocAs GRANDEs
BULLETIN.


WASHINGTON, March 11.--Gen-
eral Funston, under orders from
President Wilson to hunt down VII
las bandit army in northern Mexico,
was moving his troops at the border
tonight behind veil OF rigid secrecy.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex. March IL
Major General Frederick Funston
announced to day that. while he viii
have direction Of military affairs
along the Mexican border, the expe-
dltion into Mexico will be In charge
OF a brigadier general, whose name.
he said, would be given out at
Washington.
Organization OF the expedition
will not be completed for two or
three days, General Funston said. as
troops from other army divisions
than the southern will be added to
the border forces. The general
maintained silence today as to the
size OF the expedition and the points
of entry into Mexico. The full aero
squadron here will accompany the
expedition.
villa spies Arrested.
| COLUMBUS. n. NJ, March 1.-The
arrest Of several Mexicans suspected OF
being villa spies divided interest among
civilians here today with tho preparations
OF the militia for the pursuit of Fran
cisco villa and his bandits. The Amer
lean soldiers officers and men. In their
preparatory activities displayed an eager
nebs for the receipt OF the order that
would start them Into Mexico.
Despite the nervousness among civil
ians quiet prevailed IN this border district
during tho night. and In practically every
case circulated reports of the appearance
Of hostile Mexicans were shown TO be
unfounded. Early In the night q Mexi-
can refused to obey the command of an
American sentry 10 halt. The Mexlean
was killed. ~'''.' =
villa at Boca Grandcs.
scouis brought In reports that vfila
was AZ Boca Orandes. twenty-five miles
southwest of here. Other advices stated
that large number of Carransa troops
had reached PalomRs, supposedly to
assist in the pursuit OF villa
Among tho Mexicans arrested for spy
ing was Pablo Gonzales. When taken he
wore overalls over a military uniform.
Civil authorities continued plans to
bring charges of murder against cap
tured Mexicans In connection with the
raid on Columbus Thursday.
Captain Pablo Garcia. the wounded
Villa officer, died hero today. Civil
authorities had included Garcia among
the Mexicans against whom they plan-
ned to file charges of murder as result
OF tho Columbus raid.
Funston Given Full Discretion.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. March li.-In-
structions conveying full authority "a
General Funston to dispatch defensive
expedition into Mexico in pursuit of Villa
and his bandits are today In General
Funston's hands. Secretary Baker an
nounced that full discretion as to the
number OF men TO be used and the route
20 be followed has been left with General
Funston.
Secretary Baker specially referred "a
the expedition as defensive" IN line with
the administrators policy Of regarding
its action as one TO repel invasion.
No definite announcement was made al
the War department. but It was generally
understood that Brigader General John
j. Pershing will command the principa
column of American troops In the pursuit
OF villa. Major General Funston retain
ing command OF the general operations
which, It is expected VIII involve tbs
use OF three or more columns