Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-03-16
PRESIDENT AND
CABINET AWAIT
MEXICAN REPORTS
Were Pleased to Hear Carranza.
istas Would Aid in Capture
of Villa.
NEWS HELD UP ..
SEVEN HOURS TODAY
General Funston to Send Informa-
tion Only When Events Are
Transpiring.

Washington, March 15.-With Am
erican troops across the Mexican Dor.
der tonight, seeking Villa and his
bandits, President Wilson and Off
cials of the war department resigned
themselves to a wait possibly many
days for news Of developments in
the case. Information that forces of
the de facto government were CO.
operating with the expedition from
the United States served to relieve
the tense anxiety that had been ap-
parent on all sides over the possibl-
ity of Carranza troops revolving
against their commanders and at
tempting to oppose the entry of the
Americans.
News Held Up seevn Hours.
Although Brigadier General Perish
ing and Col. Dodd marched into Mex
leo with some 5000 men, about noon
today, it was not until more than six
hours afterwards tina, the official an
nouncement came to Washington 1t
was received this evening and Secre-
tary Baker at once hurried to the
the president.
Officers of the general staff were
on duty at the department until late
tonight, but so far as could be learn
ed, no additional information OF I'M
portance had been received General
Funston is expected 10 report only
when theer ar developments and il
is understood there IS little probabil-
ity of q clash between lie American
troops and the bandits before Friday
or Saturday. +1T
Reports tonight, tN}t Of, s.an 10llre-
gOn, new secretary Of war and chief
military leader, ordering Gen. GaVira.
commander of the .Tuarez garrison, 10
c0-ONerate( sn every way with the
United States forces.
Silence At War Department.
Throughout the day the war depart
ment maintained rigid silence as to
the situation on the border General
Funston was moving his pieces in the
grim game with Villa behind Il cur
tain Of complete secrecy. 1t probably
was the most complete censorship the
country has ever known. The screen
was drawn so close that the depart
ment itself was nos advised Of the
crossing until hours after the troops
were on the march.
Bulletins Contain Little News.
Only meagre news bulletins from
the troops in Mexico are expected.
While four correspondents Of press
associations have been credentialed
to accompany General Pershing's
command, they will be under strict
censorship.
Congress completed the work begun
yesterday, the senate cCncurring in
the house resolution, providing for an
increase in the regular army to ap-
proximately 100000 fighting troops.
There was little debate and the SO
senators in the chamber voted unani-
mously for the resolution.
What To Do With Villa.
While apparently there has been no
formal discussion of what shell be
done with Villa if he is captured, it is
regarded as probable rnat if taken
alive, the bandit leader will be turned
over to the de facto government for
prompt execution.
.. Hold All Arms Shipmnts.
Washington, March 15.-On request
of the state department, orders have
been sent to collectors of customs at
seaports of the United States and
along the Mexican border to hold up
all shipments of arms. ammunition,
or explosives consigned to Mexico,
except such as it is clearly estab-
lished are designed for the de facto
government The order was said to
be the outcome of information reach
ing the department that a large con-
signment of explosives intended for
the Villa forces was about to be sent
south. The instructions are sweeping
in character and forbid shipments
into Mexico along the northern bor-
der or any seaport. They Will shut |
off shiuments to mining companies
or other persons not officially repre-
senting the Carranza government.