The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-03-11

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navy will be pressed into service i'm
mediately. This was stated authori-
tativeEy today at the navy depart
ment.
Col. Slocum telegraphed the war
department brief report on the pur
suit by the American troops. A re-
quest for further information has
been dispatched by General Scott at
the order of Secretary Baker. The
only information on that point at the
war department early today was a
report from Col. Slocum as follows:
II sent three troops under Major
/ Tompkins across the border. They
pursued Villa about five miles, driv-
ing him into rough country where he
scattered after making one final stand
which stopped Tompkins' advance.
These three troops returned to Column
bus again in about three hours. Lost
one corporal, troop G.
It was said that the pursuit of
Villa will be undertaken in a COM
prehensive way and organized plans
will be laid for his apprehension.
Officials received the word of the
decision to go after Villa with troops
with undisguised satisfaction. Cabi-
net members expressed themselves as
greatly pleased. Army officers voiced
unanimous approval. A general feel
ing of relief that the administration
had finally decided to take the step
was apparen.
The president himself is firmly con-
WINGED of the necessity of eliminating
Villa from the Mexican situation. He
is represented as just as determined
! to get rid Of Villa as he was to GUST
Huerta.
The announcement of the intention
of the president to send troops into
Mexico was accompanied by scenes
not equalIed at the White House since
! the determination to send the Atlantic
feet to Vera Cruz in 1914.
/ i Pains were taken by officials to
} permit their hope that General Car
: rama would realize the spirit in
} which the American troops were be-
ing sent after Villa.
! Carranza will be notified immedi-
| ately that the United States has no
intention of taking any Mexican ter
ritory whatever as respects fully the
) sovereignty that nation.
j American officials realize that Car
rama may have difficulty In consent
ing to the presence of American sol
diers on Mexican soil because of pop
ular feeling in his country. Carranza
himself, however, is believed to be SO
eager for Villas capture that he may
cooperate with the American troops.
At the cabinet meeting the discus
sion Of the situation was brief and
to the point. The cabinet unanimous
ly agreed that the thing to do was to
send troops.
President Wilson took the same 20.
sition and at once instructed Secretary
Baker to issue the necessary orders
and told Secretary Lansing to inform
General Carranza of the attitude Of
: the American government.
Leaders Of both houses of congress-
were Immediately notified from the
+ White House of the presidents &C
4 ton. They approved his course.
Before deciding finally to send the
? troops after Villa, the president con
ferTed over the telephone with Chair
i man Stone Of the senate foreign rela
tons committee who told him he be
lleved the sentiment of congress woult
solidly support his action.
General Scott said today that tht
necessity of providing even a strongel
force for the border than it now has
while the American troops are op
Grating in Mexico, would necessitat.
= using some troops not now there 70
e the punitive expedition. They prob
: ably viii be ordered from other posts
!. No plans have been made so far a
d is known from use of the nationa
n guard.