The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-20
III Bandit Reaches Lair e. 8,
Troops May Be Withdrawn.
Mexican Unrest Likely to Cause
Change of Policy.
LONG OCCUPATION DANGEROUS
Washington Hears First Init
nation of Retracti0n.
War Secretary MOdifies State
ment Made by Wilson.

Washington. March 20.-The state
ment was made in high official quar-
tiers today that unless Villa is caught
before he reaches a place of hiding in
his mountain strongholds, the Ameri-
can troops may be withdrawn without
capturing the bandit chief
This was the first intimation given
that there was any alternative consid-
cred short of fulfilling what had been
accG- ted as a primary object of the
campaign-to take Villa dead or
alive"
To retire from Mexico without cap
turing Villa would be a blow to Amer
lean pride. officials admit, and would
be discouraging to the army, especial
ly to the officers on the border en-
gagged in the Villa pursuit For this
reason the administration is usuing its
utmost efforts to speed up the cam
paign against Villa The determine
ton to catch Villa before he can re-
tire into the mountain Businesses in
spired the orders sent to General
Funston to hurry the punitive expedi-
ton
Presidents Statement.
In the first announcement of the ex-
petition into Mexico, President Will
son said:
An adequate force will be sent at
once in pursuit of Villa with the single
object of capturing him and putting a
stop TO his forays-"
Secretary of War Baker later modi-
fled this by issuing a statement that
troops would be sent in ito locate and
disperse or capture the band or bands
that attacked Columbus"
Mr.. Baker added that $50 soon as
the forces of the de facto government
can take control of the situation, any
forces of the United States then re-
naming in Mexico will of course be
withdrawn"
At the outset, army officers under
stood the orders TO mean that. once in
Mexico, the troops would not be with
drawn until Villa had been taken
There was considerable surprise there
fore at intimations today that the ex-
petition may be permitted to retire
without accomplishing its primary OBJ
ject-
The menacing situation in interior
Mexico has brought administration
officials to realize that serious danger
would be faced if the American troops
remain long in Mexico. Reports that
Villa forces had routed Carranza
troops in a three-day battle near Tor
reon, leaving 500 dead Carranzistas on
the battlefield and of assertions of
Carranzistas TO join Villa had a dis
quieting effect
Absence of reports from General
Funston giving any encouragement to
hopes of the early capture of villa
was discouraging-
1t was in discussion of the prob
ability that Villa might reach the
mountain Businesses before his pur-
suers overtake him that the first in
timations were given today that the
Villa chase may not be pushed to the
end.
The statement was then made by
the authority in question that Fun
ston's orders were to dispense Villa
1t was pointed out that villa has
spent most of his life in the noun
tains of northern Mexico and knows
every foot of ground and every cav
ern and hiding place in those noun
tains
1t was recalled that Diaz. while
president had rurales in pursuit of
| Villa for twenty years without cap
turing him when Villa was wanted for
murders and bandit raids
Army staff officers are pinning
their faith in the ability of the Amer
lean cavalrymen to capture villa be-
They expressed the greatest conf
dence in the ability of General Perish
/ ing to push his campaign at a speed
that Will rush Villa off his feet.
BLACK Jack Pershing is the greatest
man killer in the army" a staff of
ficer said today 81 say this entirely
| in a complimentary sense. When he
| is in the field he has not the slightest
regard for human flesh. He will drive
/ his forces to the utmost in the pur-
suit of villa"