New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-12
Will Not Personally Com
mand Force Crossing
Into Mexico.
TROOPS MOVING
TOWARD BORDER
Details of Expedition Kept
Secret TO Prevent Warm
ing to Villa.

San Antonio, Tex, March lin
structed by the War Department at
Washington that he was not personally
10 command the troops that will cross
the Rio Grande into Mexico 70 search
for Francisco Villa. Major General
Frederick Funston to-day began 70 ar
range the details of the expedition and
to plan for the safeguarding OF the en-
tire Mexican border.
During the day the general conferred
frequently with his stan at tort Sain
Houston, Southern Department head
quarters. A close censorship was es-
tablished, however. on proceedings. All
announcements were made by General
Funston himself. From General Fun
ston came this information:
That an officer subordinate to him,
brigadier general. would command the
punitive expedition.
That this officer would have complete
charge In tho field and would not be
hampered by unnecessary Instructions.
That IL would take two or three days
10 organize the force or forces that will
20 In pursuit Of Villa.
That the first aero squadron. sta
toned at Fort Sam Houston. would be
a part of the expeditionaTy force.
That a close watch would be kept a.
all border points for any symptoms OF
disorder that will necessitate the move
ment Of troops.
Details Kept Secret.
General Funston, for military rea-
sons, refused 10 state how large the
Evolutionary force would be, the time
the forward movement would start,
whether there would be one or several
r 81 L. mt OF rFhr r
the Rio Grande would be crossed when
the search began.
II was known yesterday that General
Funston was willing to personally lead
the force searching for Villa. Il was
explained here, however. that the War
Department thought IL best to keep
General Funston at Southern Depart
ment headquarters, where he would be
in touch with and could direct the en-
tire border situation.
n there should be more than one eI-
peditionary force. the common direc-
zion will fall 70 General Funston.
Another reason assigned was that
he entire routine OF the Southern De-
oartment would be interrupted II the
commanding general we're in the held
General Funston said. too, that his
place probably would have had to be
filed by an officer Of lesser rank, not
in touch with the border situation.
IL is expected, however, that Cen
eral Funston will make frequent visits
"a the positions occupied by the invad-
ing troops.
Moving Troops Toward Border.
The movement Of troops from de-
partments other than that commanded
by General Funston toward the border
already has been begun, it is under
stood. The amalgamation OF scattered
fragments of regiments, transports-
ton, the equipment OF the commlssary
and other details, would require, ~
was estimated by the general. at least
two. and probably three, days. .
All such troops will be transported
crec ly TO the border. The utmost
secrecy regarding their exact destina-
tion will be maintained.
General Funston has insisted on this
nrecaution to the War Department. in
order that Villa may be kept as much
in the dark as possible. Army officers
81 Fort Sam Houston believe the border
is infested with Mexicans friendly 70
Villa. who will do ali in their power TO
keep him informed.
Estimates of the time required 10
capture the former Constitutionalist
leader are not obtainable, but there
vas a feeling az Southern Department
headquarters that the chase would be
- 49,. 20 tho one when had as its
object the seizure Of Aguinaldo in the
i4.t pl.es, years ago.
Army officers are interested IN the
part the first aero squadron viii plav
in the pursuit No American aero
squadron ever before has had actual
military service. Machines were sent
to Vera Cruz and there has been aerial
scouting done along the border but
this is the first real test Of the fourth
arm" Of the service.
IL is not known when the squadron
will leave San Antonio but il has been
announced that II VIII be ready by to-
morrow afternoon. Weather conditions
now are perfect for flying. and = IL
thought that the start Of the journey
will not be delayed any longer than IS
necessary.
Captain Benjamin y. Foulois. COM
handing the ten officers. who comprise
the "Aiers" Of the squadron. anf the
eighty troopers completing the detaeh-
men, worked hard to-day preparing
for their departure. A big part o. the
equipment viii 20 forward by tran.
All Of the officers under Captain fou-
iois, with the execution OF Lieutenant
A. II. Christie, will go 20 the front