The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1916-03-17
FORCES
JOIN CARR MA N
PURSUIT Ut BANDIT
TROOPS HAVE CROSSED THE Dor.
DER FOR THE CAPTURE
OF VILLA.
GIN. PtRSHING is in COMMAND
Every Effort Is Being Made To Keep
Secret All of the Details of the Cam
paign-De Facto Government of Mex
leo to Cooperate.

SAN ANTONIO, Tex, March 16.-
Brigadier-General John j. Pershing,
with more than 1900 troops. Wednes-
day began the pursuit in Mexico of
Francisco Villa, whose raid across the
border last week caused President vii
son and his cabinet to decide to use
the United States army to run him
down.
General Pershing's report that he
and his commander had crossed the
International boundary line just south
of Columbus, N NJ, reached Maj
Gen. Frederick Funston, in charge
here of general operation, late We'd
nesday. Reports of progress in the
country where the search has been
begun will be made by General Perish
ing to General Funston, but it is not
anticipated that these will be frequent
or deal with any but the more impor-
tant developments.
How far>into Mexico the column had
reached last night was not known
here nor did General Funston appear
greatly concerned, General Perish
ing's course for the next two days is
known at headquarters and not until
after Friday are sharp developments
expected. Col George J. Dodd head
ing a similar column that entered
Mexico some distance west of Column
bus also is moving in southerly d.
rection and these two forces should
be within touch of each other before
the end of the week. By that time 1t
is expected an infantry support will
hold the lines of communication along
which motor trucks for the transpor-
tation of ammunition and supplies will
be operated.
Campaign Plans Will Be Kept Secret.
Although the censorship imposed by
General Funston was relaxed last
night, efforts still we're made to keep
secret the details of the plan of cam
paign, the exact number Of men en-.
gagged, and their actual locations.
General Pershings report of his en-
trance into Mexico served to dispel
to a great extent fears that had been
entertained in some quarters that re-
sistance would be offered by troops Of
the de facto government. Colonel
Bertani, the commanding officer Of the
Carranza garrison at Palomas, on the
south side of the dividing line. prompt
ly Joined General Pershing. His force
was only some 400 men, but they
we're reported to have displayed will
ingness, and even eagerness, to join
in the chase. AS a body, the Mexi
can trops will remain under their own
commander, but a number of them
are being employed as coute by Gen
eral Pershing.
General Pershing has gone into
Mexico with orders to overtake and
wipe out Villa and his organization
Unless orders to the contrary are re
| ceived from those higher in authority
than General Funston, the campaign
that was begun Wednesday will con
tinue until Villa is captured or killed
This, it was said at General Funston!
headquarters last night, is the idet
General Pershing carried with hin
across the line. No limits have beer
placed on the field of operations. Al
ter the campaign is we'll under way
it was pointed out, circumstances may
cause restrictions, but just now the
troops are prepared to go anywhere
! to carry out the Presidents orders.