The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-14
Army Heads Expected to Strike
From Douglas, Ell Paso, and
Columbus.
$4,000 MEN AT BORDER
Federal Cavalry Reported on
Way to Protect Mormons at
Casas Grandes.

FL PASo. Tex. March 1i.-Mobiliza-
tion at the border of large part OF
the United States regular army to hunt
Villa continued today. while Carran-
zista troops were reported In pursuit of
the bandit leader in hope of rendering
an American expedition unnecessary.
With General Funston declaring that
oven Carranzas opposition would not
stop the expedition. the army heads in
personal command along the border
were laying their plans to strike into
Mexico from Ell Paso. Douglas. and CO.
1umbus when the order to advance "a
received.
1t may be Thursday or Friday before
the expedition moKes across the Dor
der. But with over 1900 men. forty
eight batteries. and scores Of machine
Run squads already at the boundary
line. officers declare themselves ready
for the word.
Carranza troops were today showing
more activity in northern Mexico and
near the border than for months past.
A concentration of Carranzistas was
taking place at Nacozari, seventy five
miles south Of Douglas. Information
received from Chihuahua City was that
a detachment of 500 cavalrymen had left
for the Casas Grandes and Galena dis
tricts to protect American Mormon
colonists and attempt to cut on Villas
flight in that direction.
General Bertani. watching Villas line
OF retreat from Palomas to the west.
predicted that the bandit chief either
would attempt to carry out his threat
against the Mormons or go to the rich
state OF Sinaloa, so far almost untoucn-
ed by marauding bands.
Gen. Canuto Reyes and 900 men, &C.
cording to another report, were said
TO be in the Torreon region endeavoring
TO Join forces with Villa. Reyes has
under him a good part OF the former
Villista troops who cut their way
through the Carranza lines and marched
almost up to the gates OF Mexico City
during the height OF the Villista rebel
lion against Carranza's rule.
.Rodolfo Fierrero, Villas butcher,
several times reported killed, Is nov re-
ported to be a member OF Reyes
column.
No News From Mormons.
No direct news has come from the
300 men, women, and children IN tne
Mormon colonies since Sunday. Officials
of the church IN FL Paso stated TO-DAY
that the absence of reports from them
indicated no disaster bad overtaken the
colonists. .... ~
lumbus today Having been selected to
lead the expeditionary forces, his pres
ence there was taken as an lndlcatlon
that the principal drive VIII be lauhch-
ed from the recently raided town,
The expedition now has an oinclai
censor. He is Lieut.. Martin l.. Schal-
Ienberger. aide-de-camp, ana MS nrs'
"The concentration and mobilization is
now being arranged. Brigadier Seheral
Pershing is engaged in studying out the
strategic plans OF movement.
Col George Taylor, Of the Eighth cav
airy, was left in command at I'll Paso'
Troops from Cheyenne. Fort Riley
Leavenworth. San Francisco. monterey,
and Chattanoga were reported en- rouee
TO the border today.
All Regulars Moving.
officers here believed that practically
all the available regular army In the
country either would be on the border
or pursuing villa WITHIN iortmkht'
Before night fully 1900 United states
soldiers were expected to be moblllzed
between lei Paso and Nogales. ready
for any service. and all anxious TO
40 In" Gil
teenth Regiments OF inafntry, three
companies of the Twentieth Infantry
eight troops Of the Thirteenth Cavalry,
Batteries a. b. and c. Of the Fourth
Artillery: Battery g; Of the sixth AT.
corps. and field wireless squad and DOS
aibiy a part of the aviation corps also
were due at Columbus. besides re-en-
forcements from the other branches.
acropiane, the automobile will receive
its first real war trial at the hands OF
the United States army. Both nEht
and heavy motor trucks were being
listed along the border today for serV-
ice in the supply trains. IA
Civilian chauffeurs. anxious TO aio
their country and get a view OF war
fare. probably will be accepted TO drive
'A% Riie Villas men have been fright.
both United States and Carranzista
troops near the border, vigilance on
since the Columbus raid. Troops
guarded the Eel Paso electric light
plant and water works last night
Similar precautions were taken along
the entire international boundary
line. Nearly every foot of the, Amer
lean railway tracks skirtnig the bor'
der were guarded by soldiers.
No Strategic Railways.
with only a single track parallelins
the boundary west of here, the alb
sence of strategic railways for con
centration along the border was ire
quently commented on in military
Delay in the arrival of men from
some Interior posts was explained a.
due to the absence of rolling stool
10 accommodate the soldiers imme
diately.
As soon as the troops, arrive the!
are distributed somewhere on tn
border" according to Major Genera
Funston's secret orders.
The quartermaster's department
along the Mexican border was work
ing day and night keeping a stead
stream of supplies moving to III
camps.
over night. In only few cases dl
the arriving troops have to use thei
dog" shelter tents. The men easil
fitted into camp routine from lou
experience. at interior posts in NOR
peaceful times.
$50 of Villa Money Now
Sells for Five Cent