Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-10

WASHINGTON. March e.--WashinE-
ton stands sauarely behind Colonel
Slocum in sending cavalry into Mexico
in pursuit OF Francisco Villa and his
band of outlaws. who rai,led Columbus,
y. NJ. to-day. numbering American SOL
dicrs and citizens and firing the town
secretary Lansing Tonight informed
The dc facto government Of Mexico,
through Eliseo Arrcdondo. it's ambas-
sador designate here. that he trusted
no objection would De made TO the ac-
ton Of the American troops. they hav-
ing followed what Is known in military
circles hot trail" No orders
have been issued for the return of the
soldiers. and it is not probable that
any will he issued for the present.
Shocked Indignation occasioncd by
news Of Villas outrage was quickly
succeeded by undissuiscd satisfaction
in official circles over the knowledge
that. after three years o.! patient for
bcarancc. United states troops actually
were Mexican soil TO arengc tha
death OF their comrades and bring to
justice the outlaws whose deprcda tionS
have terrorized Americans on both
sides Of the border.
reports tnaL the american troopers
were in action tonight against a much
larger force of bandits were heard with
anxious interest in official circles.
ARMY TO RE GIVEN FREE
REIN TO CATCH BANDITS
While no formal word OF the policy
OF the administration was given out.
1t was reliably stated that the army
would be given free rein TO catch tha
bandits il possible. Il was not con-
sidcrcd in administration circles that
Colonel SlocumS act in any sense con-
stituted IN invasion Of Mexico, a policy
which the administration has opposed
ia the past aud will continue to oppose.
Formally there is no authority for
.he presence of the American troops
in Mexico. In fact, the patrols along
the border have from the beginning OF
the disorders there been under orders
not to cross under any conditions. II
the provocation had not been so great,
the officers responsible for the action
OF to-day would face ourt-martial.
Suggestions that Colonel Slocum, in
command at Columbus. might be court
martlalcd, however: were scouto,: by
some officials while at the War De-
partment itself the subject WAS not
discussed
Newton -. Baker. VIII" became Secrc-
tary Of War to-day. conferred over the
situation with President Wilson to-
night. Three hours later AIR. Baker
said no orders had been sent for the
recall OF the American soldiers.
Major-licncral scott, chief of stan,
tslcEraphcd General Funston. at Fort
sam Houston. in command OF the bor-
der forces. for ali details available.
ii .,f.
would not be outlined until General
funston's reply had bccm received.
What had been done toward strength
cninS the forces near Columbus o.. re-
enforcing the little command that had
ridden against the bandits apparently
was not known At tho War Department
'o-nigh,.
GENERAI. III NS'rON IN FILI.
AUTHORITY on BORDER
General Funston has fu!l authority
on the border aGd Is making such troop
movements IA lie thinks necessary.
Even he. however is not fully informed
rs 10 what Colonel Slocum mas done
y hricf report reached the depart
men; during the day telling of The raid.
hut aftcrward General Funston relayed
n dispatch from Brigadier General
PcrshinG telling OF q telephone report
from Colonel Slocum and litnouncIn.;
,hai tive troops had been sent across