Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-04-29
Line of Communication With
Expedition Strengthened
BY Cavalry Forces
SCOTT AND OBREGON
TO MEET TOMORROW
Mexican General Reaches
Juarez for Conference
With U. S. Army Man

Columbus, N. NJ, April "a
Marching orders were received to-
day by approximately half Of the
number Of soldiers on station
here. These troops, largely cav
airy, will probably cross the bor-
der to reinforce General John J.
Pershlng late this afternoon.
Il 10 believed the troops are to
be stationed along the American
line Of communication extending
from Columbus to San Antonio,
about 325 miles south Of the from
tier.
Military officers said there Is no
connection between the Impend-
Ing dispatch Of the reinforce
ments and the reported arrival
Of four trainIoads Of Caranza SOL
diers In the Guerrero district.
: Ell Paso. Tex, April 2S.-Gen. Al.
varo Obregon, minister Of war of the
de facto government, is In Juarez to-
day awaiting the conference with Maj.
Generals Scott and Funston on the
military questions that are involved in
The American punitive expedition into
Mexico Gen. Obregon, accompanied
by Gen. Jacinto Trevino, military
governor Of Chihuahua, Gen. Samuel
s. Santos, Gov. Enriquez Of Chihua-
hua and Presidente Jose de Luz Her
rera Of Parral reached Juarez on q
special train this morning
The third section of Gen. Obregon's
train, bearing Gen. Luis Gutierrez,
military governor Of Chihuahua state,
was derailed south Of Juarez and sew
eral passengers were reported in
1ured. It is not known whether Gen.
Gutierrez was hurt.
Generals Scott and Funston are due
TO reach here tonight when 1t Is ex-
pected that arrangements will be
made for the first conference to be
held In Juarez tomorrow.
Has Full Powers.
General Obregon anticipated sat
lsfactory conference and it was indi-
Gated that he was vested with plenary
powers by First Chief Carranza to ef-
feet an adjustment OF the military
situation along the Mexican border.
Preceding the special train of Gen.
eral Obregon by an hour was troop
train sent In advance to protect Gen
eral Obregon's party from a possible
surprise attack from rowing bands of
Villa bandits. a5
obreaon 10 Welcomed.
All Juarez turned out to make Gen.
oral Obregon and his party welcome.
Troops lined both sides of Gale Com
ercio, from the railroad station to the
customs house, where Obregon and
his party were escorted. The Juarez
band aided in the welcome
at the railroad station where scores of
Mexicans gathered to meet the min
lster of war.
General Gabriel Gaveria with his |!
staff, dressed in field uniforms, with
Andrew Garcia, Mexican consul to El
Paso, omcially welcomed General
Obregon at the station.
The war minister wore his field uni
form Of gray and campaign hat of
broad brim. General Obregon has only
pne arm, his right arm having been
torn away by Villa shell at Celaya.
Asked what he woul do in case the
American troops were kept in Mexico,
Gen. Obregon replied:
THAT is a matter which we hope to
arrange in conference. do not wish
10 say anything about that as 1t might
be pre1udicial to the success Of the
Thinks Villa Wounded.
Gen. Obregon said that he thought
he de facto government had sufficient
.roops to take care of Villa and his
bands without aid from the United
States.
Gen. Obregon, do you think Villa
s dead?"
II do not believe Villa is dead" was
he reply, "but am positive that he
s wounded and suffers for lack of
medical attention and therefore has
mall chance to be personally active
Igain in any campaigns"
Have you sufficient troops to cap
ure Vi1la?'
yes" answered Obregon "That
will be easy. His bands are broken up
md it is now only question of hunt
ng one man Villa with few of his
ollowers, l believe, is near the bound
ry OF Sinaloa and Sonora
Laughs at Reports.
Gen. Obregon laughed loudly when
sked about the report Of friction be-
ween the first chief and himself.
Continued on page 81