Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-04-18
Officials Skeptcal of Bandits Death, Although Fact
That lie Was Last Seen Heading in Direction
j OF BOrja Lends Color to Itumor
NO INSTRUCTIONS GIVEN TO INVESTIGATE
War Department Will Accept Formal Declaration by
Carranza That Villa Has Been Killed and Will
Order the Recall of All Troops
April 17.-Confir-

AA/ hoI'i.Npl o-N. april li.-1OHilT-
w nation of the death of Fran
cisco Villa still was lacking tonight
10th at the state and war depart
ments and at the Mexican embassy.
The only dispatch from American
sources in Mexico tending to lend
color to the report was o brief state
ment from Major Howe of the Elev-
Cnth cavalry. now near Parral that
he had information which led him to
believe that the bandit and small
party of his followers had fled some
days ago toward Borja. which is close
to the place where unofficial MeM-
can reports say the body was found.
The outstanding feature of the
days messages from the border were
reports to the war department that
six Mexicans who confessed to having
taken part in the raid on Columbus,
n. NJ, had been captured and sent to
Columbus for trial by the New Mexico
state authorities. Another official
report relieved anxiety as to the sup
ply problem for the troops at the
front. 1t said the forces now were
fully supplied with the exception of a
small shipment of horseshoes and
clothing, which would go forward to-
morrow. An ample supply of gaso-
line was on hand, the message said.
Tor the motor trucks and aeroplanes.
The body supposed to be that of
Villa was said by the last Mexican
reports to be en- route to Chihuahua
City 1t was pointed out at the war
department, however. that the point
where it was found was nearly two
days journey by wagon from the rail-
road. That NAV account for delay in
obtaining confirmation or denial of
the report that the bandits career
has ended.
No Instructions
If General Funston and General
Pershing have taken any steps to
make certain the Identification of the
body they have done so on their own
initiative. No instructions to that
end have been sent from Washington
either to consu,s or military COM
manders
This fact may be significant OF the |
attitude of the state department. 1t |
was intimated today that the United |
States government might be willing to |
accept formal declaration from |
General Carranza that Villa had been |
killed and order the recall of the |
troops
Senator Stone. chairman of the SEN
ate relations committee. after a prief
conference today with Secretary
Baker expressed the view that the
Carranza authorities hardly could
have any object in circulating a re-
port of Villas death unless they be-
lieved 1t to he true. he agreed with
Secretary Baker and other officials.
however, in accepting the reports of
the finding of Villas body with ut
most caution. MIR. Baker took no
pains to hide his doubts, although he
expressed fervent hopes that it should
prove true.
May Have Clashes.
iC admitted hnt |
day the troops remain in Mexico in
creases the possibility of serious
clashes. While there has been no eNi-
dence of any opposition TO the move.
ments of the American forces by mill
tary or civil officials of the de facto
government, the Parral incident has
served as a warning that the civil pop
ulation and even the troops cannot
always be controlled by those in conf
mand The attack on Major Tomp-
kin's command at Parral came after
cordial relations had been established
with the Carranza military comman-
der there. The Mexican officers best
efforts were unavailing to curb the
disturbers. many of whom were said
to be his own soldiers 1t is known
that the Washington government
would gladly withdraw the troop to-
morrow if it could consider the OBJ
ject of the expedition accomplished.
In some quarters the suggestion was
made that reports of Villas death I
might have been circulated for the
effect on the Mexican people and that !
they were not intended to reach be- ]
yond the border. 1t was pointed out l
that it would add to the estimation in
which CarranZa military chieftains
are held by their own people If they e,
were able to show the body as proof
that the American expedition was un- s
necessary.
Secretary Lansing would not dis
cuss the status of the negotiations 9
with the de facto government over :
the recall of the troops. It was in
dicated, however, that official infor-
nation as to the Parral incident still
was too meager to serve as basis s
for reply to General Carranza's mes
sage about it. Secretary Lansing re- \
piled to both the note and the mes
sage were yet to be drafted. IL
No Negotiations. a
1t was thought possible. however. q
that instructions had bOen sent to /
Special Agent Rodgers, Mexico City.
through him to the de {
facto government the Willingness of I
the United States to enter into the I
for the recall of the I
roops proposed by General Carranza.
The secretary would neither deny nor +
lfftrm that suggestion IL