The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-10
General Fred Funston

thereby surrounding Villas forces. if
they are able to make junction.
Message to Congress.
The flying column" will consist
chiefly of cavalry.
While no announcement has been
made, it is probable the president will
send a message to congress within the
next few days, outlining the reasons
for his order today He took similar
action at the time he ordered the fleet
to Vera Cruz and congress at once
voted a resolution approving his
Funston Anxious.
Major General Funston in an over
night dispatch urgently recommended
4 that he be authorized to lead Ameri-
/ can troops over he border to finally
! clean out the bandit gangs. The state
department will pass on the recon-
/ mendation.
Await Full Report.
News of the return of the $50 Amer
lean calVarymen who pursued the ban
: dts into Mexico without having killed
/ or captured Villa was received with
undisguised disappointment The next
step of the Washington government
probably will depend upon nature of
General F'unstOn's report.
The troops had been sent across the
border by Colonel Slocum with orders
not to go more than two miles. His
ministration and no orders had been
issued for the return of the men, The
question uppermost here today was
as to whether an adequate military
force would be sent across the border
for the. further pursuit of the bandits
and the capture of their leader. Army
officers pointed out that a competent
force was distributed along the border
and that such an expedition could be
organized in a short time.
Don't Criticise SIocum-
Although strict orders had been
given American army officers not to
cross the border with armed forces
there was no indication today that
Colonel Slocum would be reprimand-
ed. Government officers generally
agreed that The unusual conditions
justified the pursuit, and no objection
from General CarranZa regarding the
action of American troops is expected.
Further developments in the situation
were awaited with profound interest
in congress today.
Will Continue Raids.
Brigadier General Pershing report
ed that he \ Gican consul at Ell Paso
thinks there should be no objection 20
American troops entering Mexico in
pursuit of Villa and that he would
wire his government recommending
cooperation.
Colonel Slocum telegraphed the war
suit by the American troops, which
said:
''I sent three troops under Major
lTompkins across the border. They
pursued Villa about five miles. driving
him INTO Tough country where his men
scattered after making a final stand
that stopped TompkinsS advance The
tr .Jps returned to Columbus again in
about three hours. Lost one corporal,
Troop G.
10000 Troops on Border
approximately 1000 troops will
4S mountain batteries and field guns
are on the border between Douglas
and Ell Paso. Texas. A little NOR.
than one-third of that force is cavalry
} and all could be assembled at any
: point between the two towns. The
troops are distributed as follows:
First battalion, Twentieth infantry
at Victoria, 81 miles east; Troop 6
Thirteenth cavalry, at the Bordel
Gate, three miles south of Columbus
six troops, Thirteenth cavalry, in camp
with machine gun platoon ct Colum-
bus. Heavy patrols were stationed al
along railroad line from Hachita tc
: Columbus.
The Thirteenth, Seventh, Eighth and
Tenth cavalry are scattered along the
border between Douglas and Ell Paso
The Eleventh, Eighteenth and Twenty.
second infantry, the Sixth field art
l lery and a battalion of the Fourth
I mountain artillery are at Douglas 4
l Ell Paso, about sixty miles from Co
= lumbus. are four regiment of infantry
e the Sixth, Seventh, Sixteenth anC
, gales. between Columbus and Dougla-