New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-13
Some of His Outlaws Said
To Be Nearing Sonora
State Border.
OTHERS REPORTED
HEADING SOUTHWARK
Concentration of Force at Co.
lumbus May Require
Several Days.

Columbus, N. ~, March 12.-Reports
multiplied here to-day that Francisco
Vills Is disintegrating the force Of
1000 to $500 men which he used to
support OF to make the Columbus raid
last Thursday.
American military authorities to-day
said It is possible that it would have
been advisable to 60 after Villa Thurs
day when his raiders fled southwark.
They were then demoralized and were
dropping loot and war material before
the attacks Of ffty-nine men under
Major Frank Tompkins. Requests OF
Colonel Herbert Slocum. commanding
the 18th Cavalry here. and Of Major
Tompkins to be allowed 20 renew the
pursuit Friday with larger force were
denied pending organization of the
largo punitive expedition.
II was stated to-day that this OK
petition, owing TO inadequate railroad
facilities and the widely scattered po-
sition of the troops necessary to con.
sttute il, who have been on patrol
duty. might require several days prep
aration before it could enter Mexico,
at iesst from this 0oint
Villa Breaking Up Force.
Meanwhile reports from Mexican
sources stated that Villa apparently
was carrying out a plan TO elude pur-
suit by breaking up his forces into
small bands and hiding in the noun
tains. Some of his forces were re-
ported to be approaching the Sonora
State border. Others were said to be
1t -. httfn I'd
southeastward to-day toward the noun
tains of the San Geronimo district,
from which the bandit chieftain start
ed March with the announced inten-
tion Of invading the United States.
Information was received here to-
day that two regiments OF infantry and
a battalion of mountain artillery were
being sent here from the East in ad-
diition TO battery of the 9th Artillery
from Nogales, Ariz., and signal com
pany.
Colonel Slocum said he had been ad-
vised that the first squadron OF the
18th Cavalry also had been ordered
10 reioin the regiment. The 18th, on
account Of its exploit Thursday in beat
ing of an overwhelming number of
Mexicans after a stiff fight, in which
they inflicted possibly fifteen times the
number of their own casualties, Is said
to have been assigned to the duty OF
taking Villas direct trail. Owing 10
the exigencies of the patrol duty to
which the army has been assigned ever
since the outbreak of the Madero revo-
luton in 1910. the regiment has had
on duty here only two-thirds 81 its
strength. The first squadron, under
Lieutenant Colonel I. Rivers, has been
stationed at Maria, Tex, moro than
$50 miles east of here, and assigned IN
patrol a stretch of territory eighty
five miles in extent. II might be sew
eral days before this squadron viii be
assembled here.
Units Widely Scattered.
Other units said 10 have been desig-
mated for service in Mexico are quite
az widely scattered, because of de-
mands for protection and patrols at
various points. Infantry. artillery ana
cavalry deemed necessary for the eX..
pedition are scattered at intervals or
Is TO $50 miles, from Myrena, Tex, on
the east, TO Yuma. Ariz.. on the west.
There is only one line of railroad by
which the concentration of these troop5
can be accomplished. This line is
closely guarded 10 minimize any
chance that irresponsible persons may
cut il.
II was announced to-day that the
two squadrons. numbering about 100
men, of the 18th Cavalry under Colo
mel II. c. Sickel, who were ordered
from Fort Robinson, Nebraska, yes
terday, will take the place OF the 18TH
( Cavalry in posts here. One squadron
of the 18th is at Panama.
Rrieadier General John J. Pershing,
at FL Paso, according to military Off
GERS here. is concentrating these wide
" scattered troops as rapidly as pos
sible. 60.
II appears to be the opinion OF mill
tarv men here that. when Villa IS
found and pushed on both sides. he will
not stand and fight. This belief is
based upon the experiences OF the
American troops I'm the surprise attack
Thursday, and the subsequent pursuit
Of the bandits by Major Tompkins, who
described their flight as practically
rout.
Saw villa Won't Make Stand.
Although Villas strength in the
/ battle here was estimated AZ IRON
/ fifteen hundred 70 twenty-five hundred
men. Captain Rudolph Smyser anc
! CAPTAIN George Williams. who pariici
pated in the pursuit, described his re-
treat as precipitate. Prisoners cap
tured declared the bandits were strick
en- by fear. although, when they dis
covered the meagre force OF iifty-nint
with which Tompkins entered Mexico
Thursday, they made n stand with nine
hundred men.
Although the villa trail is gett,ns
colder every day. army officers eX
messed confidence in their ability
finally 70 appreheud him.
r. b. Stone. special agent OF the De
partment OF Justice, was advised TO
day that the six wounded Villa soldiers
held as prisoners would be turneC
over by the military authorities 20 The
state courts OF New Mexico for tia
on charges Of having murdered the nin'
civilians slain here Thursday. II hsC