The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1916-03-24
u. S. TROOPS
ENTER MEXICO
General Pershing Leads Main
Force Of 1000 Men.
MExlCANs JOIN IN PURSUIT
Artillery Taken Along Expedition,
Ordered To overtas<e and Wipe Out
Villa and His Organization, Is
Prepared TO Co Anywhere.

San Antonio, Texas. - Brig. Gen.
John ], Jershing, with more than 1000
troops, began the pursuit in Mexico OF
Francisco villa, whose raid across the
border caused President Wilson and
his Cabinet to decide to use the United
States Army to run him down.
General Pershing's report that he
and his command had crossed the in
ternational boundary line Just south
OF Columbus reached Gen. Frederick
Funston, in charge here Of general
operations.
His report served to dispel to a great
extent fears that had been entertained
in some quarters that resistance would
be offered by the troops Of the de facto
government. Colonel Bertani, the
commanding officer Of the Carranza
garrison at Palomas, on the south side
of the dividing line. promptly Joined
General Pershing.
Colonel Bertani's force was only
some 4001men, but they were reported
to have displayed willingness and even
eagerness to join in the chase. AS a
body, the Mexican troops will remain
under their own commander, but a
number Of them are being employed as
scouts by General Pershing.
Reports of progress in the country
where the search has been begun will
be made by General Pershing to Cen
eral Funston, but it is not anticipated
that these will be frequent or deal with
any but the more important develop
ments.
Dodd Leads Second Column.
Col. George A. Dodd, heading a
smaller column that entered Mexico
some distance west of Columbus, also
is moving in southerly direction and
these two forces should be within
touch Of each other before the end OF
the week.
BY that time Il is expected an in
fantry support will hold the lines OF
communication along which motor
trucks for the transportation of am
munition and supplies will be oper-
ated
There are believed to be about $500
troops under Colonel Dodd's command.
Although the censorship imposed by
General Funston was relaxed, efforts
still were made to keep secret the de-
tails of the plan of campaign, the exact
number of men engaged and their
actual locations.
To End When Villa is Taken.
General Pershing has gone into
Mexico with orders to overtake and
wipe out Villa and his band. Unless
orders to the contrary are received
from those higher in authority than
General Funston, the campaign just
begun will continue until Villa is. cap
tured or killed. This, it was said at
General Funston's headquarters. is the
idea of General Pershing which he car
ried with him across the line.
No limits have been placed on the
field of operations. After the cam
paign Is well under way, 1t was pointed
out, circumstances may cause restric-
tions, but just now the troops are pre-
pared to go anywhere to carry out the
Presidents orders.
Tension Reduced.
News that the expedition was under
way reduced to marked degree the
tension that was evident at army head
quarters here.
General Funston regarded the situa-
ton optimistically. He appeared to
have no doubts that the men in the
field would render good accounts of
themselves in the work undertaken,
and he was hopeful that Villa would
be forced into corner at an early
date.
10000 Troops Available.