Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-11
General Funston Will Com
mand American Forces
at Mexican Border.
MOVEMENTS GUARDED
War Department Withholds
Details of Plans to Cap
ture Villa Bandits.

Washington, March 11.-Instruc-
tons conveying full authority to Gem
eral Funston to dispatch a defensive
expedition into Mexico in pursuit of
Villa and his bandits are today in
General Funstons hands. Secretary
Baker announced that full discretion
as to the number Of men to be used
and the route to be taken has been
left to General Funston.
Secretary Baker specifically refer
red to the expedition as defensive" in
line with the administration policy
Of regarding its action as one to repel
invasion.
No American troops crossed the
border this morning. Many dispatch
es from General Funston, however, in
formed the department as to the dis
position he was was making Of his
forces.
Secretary Baker said that whatever
re.nioTcements General Funston
might require to maintain an adequate
patrol along the border in addition TO
the eXpeditionary force could be
promptly furnished. The department
has not been advised whether Cen
eral Funston would lead personally
the evolutionary force.
Volunteers Not Needed.
There was at present, Secretary
Baker said. no need for summoning
volunteers to the colors although the
department appreciated fully the pat
riotic spirit behind the deluge OF
offers.
General Funston confirmed today
officially the killing OF Pablo Lopez,
Villas chief lieutenant in the raid on
Columbus and also the report that
Lopez commanded the bandits who
murdered nearly a score Of Americans
al Santa Ysabel. General Funston al
so confirmed the report that 400 Car
rama troops had reached Palomas,
six miles south Of Columbus, to join
in the pursuit OF Villa.
Fisty-seven dead Mexicans have
been found in and about Columbus.
General Funston reported. General
Funston said the effectiveness of the
fire Of the American troops during
the engagement was splendid.
1 defensive" Expedition.
Secretary Baker today referred to
The American expedition as d de
fensiye one" This was regarded as
significant indication of the the ad-
ministration TO make it clear that it
is progressing with scrupulous re-
gard for the sovereignty of Mexico and
entirely il aid Of the constituted au-
thorities.
Villa was today reported moving
southeast with not more than 300 men
Last nights report gave his force as
1000 but that is believed TO include
sympathizers in his territory.
Villa Band Located.
Latest reports of the whereabouts
Of General Villa say he reached As
eenciOn, south of Palomas, some time
yesterday with 300 followers after his
Hight following the attack on Column
bus. This Information reached here to-
Gay in message 10 the CarranZa en-
bassy from Consul Andreas Garcia at
FL Paso.
Consul Garcia reported that Cen
eral Gayira, military commander at
Juarez, was informed of this by Cen
eral Bertani, from Palomas, at II
p. m. yesterday. Bertani also reported
Villa had 90 casualties in the encoun-
Ter with the American troops at Col
umbus and the pursuit which fol-
lowed. On the day after the Column
bus battle, Villa avoided an encoun-
Ter with the troops OF General Ber-
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