Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-12
FORCES TO MOVE
j. WITHIN z HOURS
Gen. Funston'fs Pushing Prep
arations for the Villa
Expedition.
ONE OF HIS SUBORDINATES
WILL COMMAND THE ARMY
Aero Squadron Expected to Fly Over
Border Late Today to Keep
Watch on Quarry.

SAN ANTONIO. Tex. March
1l.-Instructed by the War De-
partment at Washington that he
was not personally to command
the troops that will cross the
Rio Grande into Mexico to
search for Francisco Villa, Maj.
Gen. Frederick Funston today
began to arrange the details OF
the expedition and to plan for
the safeguarding OF the entire
Mexican border.
During the day the general
conferred frequently with his
staff at Fort Sam Houston,
southern department headquar-
tiers. A close censorship was es-
tablished, however. on proceed
ings. All announcements were
made by Gen. Funston himself.
Gen. Funstons Announcement.
From Gen. Funston came this in
formation:
That an o6icer subordinate to him. a
brisaAisr Eeperal. would command the
yuhltive expedition.
That this officer would. have COM
Dlsts charge in the field and would not
be hampered by unnecessary instruc-
tions.
That it would take two or three days
TO organize the force or forces that
will go in pursuit of Villa.
That the first aero squadron. sta
toned at Fort Sam Houston. will be a
part of the expeditionary force.
That a close watch will be kept at
all border points for any symptoms of
disorder that will necessitate the move
ment Of troops.
disposition Of Forces Secret.
Gen. Funston. for military reasons,
r used to state how large the ex-
ped.tionary force would be; the time
the forward movement would start;
whether there would be one or several
forees. and the point or points at which
a. isio Grande would be crossed when
the search began.
a: was known yesterday that Gen.
Funston was willing personally to lead
the force searching for Villa. 1t was
explained here. however, that the War
Department thought il best to keep
Gen. Funston at southern department
headquarters. where he would be in
touch with and could direct the entire
border situation.
II there should be more than one ex-
peditionary force. the common direc-
tion will fall to Gen. Funston.
Another reason assigned was that the
entire routine of the southern depart
ment would be interrupted IL the COM
manding general were in the field. Gen.
Funston said. too. that his place prob
ably would have had to be filled by an
enicer of lesser rank. not in touch with
ths border situation.
1t is expected. however. that Gen.
Funston will make frequent visits to
the positions occupied by the invading
troops.
The movement toward the border OF
troops from departn ents other than
that commanded by Gen. Funston al
stood. The amalgamation of scattered
fragments of regiments. transportation
the equipment Of the commissary anc
other details. would require. it was
estimated by the general. at least two
and probably three days. All such
troops will be transported directly tc
the border.
The utmost secrecy regarding theil
n
Gen Funston has insisted on this pre-
caution to the War Department ir
order that villa may be kept as much
in the dark as possible.
Army officers at Fort Sam Houston
believe the border is infested with
Mexicans friendly to villa who will de-
all in their power to keep him In
formed
May Be q Long Chase.
Estimates of the time required to cap
ture the former constitutionalist lead
er are obtainabie. but there is feel
Ing at the Southern Department head
quarters that the chase would be simi
lar 10 the one which had as its objec
the seizure Of Aguinaldo in the Philip
pines years ago.
Army officers are interested in tn
part the 1st Aero Squadron will play ii
the pursuit. No American aero squad
ron ever hSfore mas mad actual mill
tary service. Machines were sent I
Vera Cruy and there has been aeris
scouting done along the border. bu
this 10 the first real test of the "fourt
arm of the service.
II 10 not known when the sQuadro
will leave San Antonio, but II has bee
announced that il win be ready by to
morrow afternoon. Weather condition
now are perfect for flying and IL /
(continued on Second Page.5