Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-04
General Funston Now Con-
vinced That Villa Has
Gained Safe Lead.
CAVALRY PRESSES
ON THRU MOUNTAINS
Lengthening of Distance
From Border Stretches
Communication Lines.

GAN ANTONIO. Texas, April g.
~ The fear expressed yesterday at
army headquarters that Francisco
Villa had escaped from the reglCn
in which General Pershing's cavalry
columns are operating. became con-
victim by the close of the day. No
report from Mexico stated that he
had disappeared but all Information
secured Indicated that he was gone.
General Pershing's report. received
after noon. contained the news that
at least a part of the dispersed Villa
force that was driven from Guerrero,
March 20, still were moving in the
district northeast of that place but
no mention of Villas whereabouts
was made. His report was dated yes
terday. Six columns of cavalry were
yet riding the hills and plains in that
section while scouts were endeavOring
to pick up the trail of the scattered
bands as well as that of their fugitive
chief One force of Villas men, es-
timated at one hundred, commanded
by Colonel Beltran, was located near
Bacineva. about 20 miles northeast
of Guerrero. and information was
gathered that indicated the remainder
of the four or five hundred were still
in that region. No reference was
made in that report of an encounter
that was mentioned in press dispatch
es from the front.
Guides Unreliable.
Information gathered from various
sources and confirmed by General
Pershing indicated that the intelli-
gence officers of the punitive force
were having to contend with difficult
ties created by the receipt of misin-
formation literally supplied in dis
tricts through which villa or his fol-
lowers had passed. General Pershng
also reported that he had difficulty
in securing reliable guides.
His statement that it had been re-
ported to him that Colonel Cano had
| engaged a Villa force in a fight on
| the same day that the Americans
were driving the bandits from Guer-
zero, served to allay somewhat the
fear that had arisen here that Cano
| had revolted, report that appeared
well founded.
Pcrslling Puzzled.
Which way villa has gone is now
largely a question for General Per
| shing's scouts to answer. 1t was
| pointed out at General Funston 5
headquarters that once the trail was
| picked out the troops would resume
the chase further into the interior, al
| though it was realized that this sec
ond phase of the punitive expedition
| work will be far more difficult thar
\ was the first. 1t is not improbable. il
was said, that more troops than those
| already in Mexico will be required
| The topography of the country south
of Guerrero is such that successful
pursuit can be conducted only by \
wide deploying of forces and the utili-
zatiOn of large part OF the intan-
try. 1t was pointed out that the fur
ther the troops penetrate into Mexico
| the greater will be the necessity for
strengthening the lines of communi-
cation. From the border to the ex-
treme southern portions the advanced
posts already have Travelled three
hundred miles when there is taken
| into account the twistings of the
trails they have Travelled.
Need More Supplies.
The Northwestern railroad is not
yet being used, due partly, it was un-
| officially reported here, to failure
of General Gavira and General Bel
to reach an agreement. The timely
placing in service of more motor
| trucks alleviated temporarily the sup
ply situation, however. and Genera
Pershing reported today that motor
trucks now are delivering supplies tc
o point south OF Namaquipa, almost
two hundred miles in the border.
| General Pershing also reported thai
he had found grain Of an inferior
grade for the horses and mules but
grass is scarce and the need for hay
Is pressing The aeroplanes are being
used for communication between Co
lonia Dublan and the front and thai
means soon will be supplemented b,
q wagon wireless set that has beer
sent forward to one of the advanced
bases.