Arizona republican., 1916-04-18
Both at State and War De- partments No Word Is Received Indicating Ban dit Villa Has Sue cumbed
TAKES TWO DAYS
 TO MAKE TRIP
Spot Where Villa Was Re- ported Buried Is Two Days Journey by Wagon From Railroad. This May Account for Delay
CRepubIican A. p. Leased Wire1

WASHINGTON, April 17.-ConfirTn- ation of the death of Francisco Villa still was lacking tonight both at the state and war departments and at the Mexican embassy. The only dispatch from American sources in Mexico tend iNg to lend color to the report was a brieY statement from Major HowZe, of the Eleventh cavalry, now near Parral, that he had information which led him to believe that the bandit and small party of his followers had fled some days ago toward San Borja, which is close to the place where unofficial Mexican reports say the body was found.
 The outstanding feature of the days messages from the border were reports to the war department that six MeXi- cans who confessed to having taken part in the raid on Columbus, N. M., had been captured and sent to Colum- bus for trial by the New Mexico state authorities. Another official report re- lieved anxiety as to the supply problem for the troops at the front. It said the forces now were fully supplied, with the exception of small shipment of horse shoes and clothing, which would go forward tomorrow. An ample sup ply of gasoline was on hand, the mes sage said. for the motor trucks and iaeroplanes.
 The body supposed to be that of Villa was said by the last Mexican report to be enroute to Chihuahua City. It was pointed out at the department, how ever. that the point where it was found was nearly two days journey by wagon | from the railroad. That may account for delay in obtaining confirmation or denial of the reports that the bandits career has ended.
 If General Funston and General Pershing have taken any steps to make certain the Identification of the body | they have done so on their own ini- tiative. No instructions to that end have been sent from Washington, ! either to consuls or military com
 manders.
 1 This fact may be significant of the attitude of the state department. It was intimated today that the United States government might be willing to accept formal declaration from Gen eral Carranza that Villa had been killed and order recall of the troops. Senator Stone chairman of the sen ate foreign relations committee, after
 a brief conference today with Secre- tary Baker, expressed the view that
 the Carranza authorities hardly could have any object in circulating report of Villas death unless they believed it to be true.
 He agreed with Secretary Baker and lother officials, however. in accepting the reports of the finding of Villas body with utmost caution. MT. Baker took no pains to hide his doubts, al- though he expressed a fervent hope that it should prove true.
 It is generally admitted that every
 day that the troops remain in Mexico
 increases the possibility of serious clashes. While there has been no evil dence of any opposition to the move
 ments of the American forces by mili-
 tary or civil officials of the de factc
 government the Parral incident has
 served as a warning that the civil pop ulation cannot always be controlled by Ithose in command. The attack on Ma jor Tompkins' command at Parral came after cordial relations had been estab-
 lished with the Carranza military com
 mander there The Mexican officers , best efforts were unavailing to curt : the disturbers, many of whom wert s said to be his own soldiers. It is knowr that the Washington government would ? gladly withdraw the troops tomorrow i l it could consider the object of the ex
 petition accomplished.
 9 In some quarters the suggestion wa ' made that reports of Villas deatl r. might have been circulated for the ef b feet on the Mexican people, and the.
 Continued on Page Three)