Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-01
Congress Cheers at
News of Attack on
Villa and Outlaws
Wilson Congratulates aker, Who Congratu-
lates Funston, Who VIII Congratulate PERISH
ing and Dodd-Believe Successful End
of Expedition Is Now in Sight

Washington, March 31.-With VIII
las main command shattered by Col.
Dodd's cavalry dash, the War depart
ment expects that the death, or cap
ture Of the bandit leader himself and
the successful conclusion of the Amer
lean punitive expedition to rid north
ern Mexico Of his raiders will follow
more quickly than lad at first been
anticipated.
Cheers in Congress
The five-hour running fight in which
Dodd's outnumbered. troopers killed
Villas chief lieutenant, many of his
men. with only four of their own
number slightly wounded. occurred
AZ hours before the news reached
Washington. Army officers are sure
that since the fight heavier forces have
come up to support the flying columns
and another action may have followed
Of which nothing was known here to-
night. Congress stopped business and
cheered the news of the dash of the
American troopers. President Wilson
sent words Of congratulation to Secre-
tary Baker, and the secretary sent
messages Of congratulation to Maj.
Gen. Funston to be conveyed to Brig.
Gen. Pershing and Col. Dodd. The first
smashing blow at the bandits was
what all officials had expected of
Pershing's seasoned troopers but few
of them had hoped it would come so
soon.
General Pershings dispatch with the
news Of the fight cached the War de-
rartment late this afternoon. 1t re-
ported the results in terse sentences,
giving few details.
Villa Wounded e
Desperately wounded and perma-
nently crippled with broken leg and
lame hip. Villa was reported to have
left his men before the fight to hide
in the nearby mountains. His force,
broken into small bands, was reported
attempting reformation in the Santa
Maria valley, pressed on all sides by
American and Carranza columns.
Everywhere tonight satisfaction over
the exploit Of Col. Dodd and his men
was expressed. Secretary Bakers con-
gratulations were sent in this message
from Maj Gen. Scott. chief Of staff, to
Maj. Gen. Funston on the border:
Secretary of war desires you to
convey to Gen. Pershing and Col. Dodd
and command his hearty congratula-
tons on exploit
On behalf of the President the White
House authorized similar expression.
In Congress the news caused a DEM
Onstration of cheers and applause in
the House when Speaker Clark inter-
1upted proceedings for reading of Gen.
Pershing's dispatch. Debate on the
army increase bill was halted in the
Senate for the reading of the tele-
gram sent to the Vice Presidents
desk by Senator Warren of Wyoming,
Gen. Pershing's father in law.
Oficials anxiously awaited further
news. Army officers believed it prob
able that in the As hours since the fight
there had been further skirmishes with
the hard-pressed outlaws. and possibly
that even Villa himself had been found.
Delay in receipt of Gen. Pershng's re-
port was ascribed by war department
heads to the great distance from the Dor
der and difficulties of communication.
The scene Of the fight was about 225
miles south of Juarez. While on the
railroad line. Gen. Pershing was thought
to have forwarded his dispatch by courier
to the signal corps telegraph lines.
Belief was expressed tonight in all
quarters that the successful end of the
American expedition was in sight. On
ctals believed that Dodd's victory, If fol-
lowed promptly by the capture or death
Of Villa himself, would go far toward
In ho Of To-
leo. They believed the rout would dis
courage outlaws generally and deter fur
Their desertion from Carranza's army.
In his telegram to Gen. Funston, for
warded here by the latter from Fort
Sam Houston, Gen. Pershing indicated
probable results of the American victory
with Villa permanently disabled, Lo-
peg wounded and Hernandez dead, the
blow administered Is a serious one to
Villas band" he said
The Lopez referred to was believed
here to be Pablo Lopez. leader of the
Santa Ysabel massacre in which II
Americans were killed.
- See'y Bakers Statement
tTonight Secretary Baker issued the fol-
lowing statement.
THE success of Col. Dodd in catching
up Win INC Te-TedllnS DdnOltS ana 0fS-
persing them shows the value and effec-
tveness Of the careful preparations made
by Ger. Funston as well as the dash
and vigor with which Col. Dodd himself
and the members Of his command have
undertaken their task.
3 1T is a matter of great qualification
to US all that the first encounter is SO
decisive and that our own troops have
suffered so slightly. The effect on both
sides of the border will undoubtedly be
GOOD 1t will allay apprehension on the
American side by showing the rapidity
and effectiveness with which our army
acts, and among the Mexican people il
will show the singleness of our purpose
and discourage other bandits from SYM
pathetic demonstrations.
This comes as a very adequate an
swer to those who feared that it would
be long and painful pursuit before we
overlook the bandits and gives strong
ground to hope that the object Of the
expedition can be speedily accomplish
ed"
-
- Praise for Dodd
Unstinted praise was given in all
quarters to Col. Dodd, the veteran cav