Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-01
CAPTURE Of VILLA
BELIEVED At HAND
Officials Here Confident Bandit
Cannot Long Escape Col.
Dodd's Troopers.
SCOUTS ALARMIST TALES
TODAY FROM THE BORDER
Secretary Baker Is Not Worried by
Movement of Carranaza
Forces.

Satisfaction bordering on jubi-
lation, describes the mood of
army and administration officials
today, following the receipt yes
terday of news of the defeat OF
Villa forces by Col. Dodd and the
advance guard of United States
cavalrvmen. Officials today
awaited report of the actual cap
ture OF Villa, and word to that
effect was expected momentarlly.
May Now Be Prisoner.
It is possible that before this time
Col. Dodd and his cavalrymen have
trapped the bandit. 1t was pointed out
that the news of the actual fight with
Villa bandits did not reach Washington
until two days after the fight.
The War Department had no further
advices today on 'Dodd's dash at
Guerrero. 1t was said that 1T fire.
quently happens that the department
receives nothing from the border for
three or four days.
Secretary Baker expressed anxiety to
learn the names and condition of the
four privates reported slightly wounded
in the clash at Guerrero.
Border rumors that Carranza troops
were massing opposite Douglas. AriZ,
were without confirmation at the War
Department. Secretary Baker secuted
alarmiSt rumOrS.
Railroad Situation Unchanged.
officials still are unadvised of prog
ress toward commercial use of the
Mexican Northwestern railway by Gen.
Funston. The general has not re-
ported since advising the department
that Gen. Gavira, Carranza commander
at Juarez, was awaiting instructions
from Gen. Ca;Tanza ratifying the com
mercial shipping arrangement pro-
posed. The last instructions to- Gen.
Funston were to tender supply ship
ments to the railroad authorities.
Navy Department dispatches today re-
ported conditions quiet at Vera Cruz
Tampico, Puerto Mexico. and on the
Mexican west coast.
Sent to Fight Bandits.
A detachment of Mexican infantry has
| been sent from Piedras Negras to Mon
clova to operate against small number
of bandits recently reported to have been
active in that district, according to ad-
vices received at the State Department
today from Eagle Pass. The bandits are
r,.at@ h..,- in ha foot h liz,
near Menclova.
'There has been no change in the mill
tary forces in the Piedras Negras dis
| trict," the State Department announce
| ment says. "and the situation there is
reported to be satisfactory
Success Causes Satisfaction.
Word of the smashing bIoy delivered
at the Villa raiders by United States
| troops at Guerrero was received every
where with satisfaction. Congress
stopped business and cheered. President
Wilson sent congratulations to Secre-
| tary Baker and the Secretary dis
| patched congratulatory messages to
Maj. Gen. Funston to be conveyed to
! Brig. Gen. Pershins and Col. Dodd.
| Officials believe that Dodd's victory, If
! followed by the capture or the death Of
| Villa. would go far toward restoring peace
outlaws generally and stop desertions
! from CarranZa's 8 army.
Statement by Secretary Baker.
| Secretary Baker issued the following
statement on the subject:
| 1.-The success of Col. Dodd in catching
up with the retreating bandits and dis
persing them shows the value and eff
| fectveness of the careful preparat ton
! made by Gen. Funston well as the da sh
and vigor with which Col. Dodd himself
and the members Of his command have
undertaken their task.
| 1T Is matter of great satisfaction
| to us all that the first encounter is so
! decisive and that our own troops have
suffered so slightly. The effect on bot
! sides of the border will uudoubte edly be
good. 1t will a1lay apprehension on the
| American side b. showing the rapidit y
| and effectiveness with which our army
| will show the singleness of our purpose
and discourage other bandits from sym :
pathetic demonstration.
Hope for Speedy Results.
/ This comes as very adequate
answer to those who feared that 1t
| would be a long and painful pursuit
| before we overlook these marauders
and gives strong ground to hope that
! the entire object Of the expedition can
| be speedily accomplish cd.
The War department was not ad-
! viSed officially regarding the troops in
col. Dodd's command. although the eth.
! 10th and 18th Cavalry were understood
| for the raid The 7th Cavalry is
famous the which a