Albuquerque morning journal., 1916-03-12
(By Morning Journal Special Leased Wnc.)

w NANahhb JCethhi
San Antonio Tex March lin
strucled by the war department at
Washington that he was not to per-
sonally command the troops that will
cross the Rio Grande into Mexico to
search for Francisco villa. Major
General Frederick Funston today be-.
gan to arrange the details of the ex-
pedition and to plan for safeguarding
of the entire Mexican border
During the day the general con-
! ferred frequently with his staff at
I fort sam Houston, southern depart
ment headquarters A close censor
ship was established however, on
proceedings All announcements were
made by General Funston himself
From General Funston came this
Information:
That an officer subordinate to him,
a brisadier general, would command
the punitive expedition.
That this officer would have COM
plcte charge i'm the field and would
not be hampcred by unnecessary in
structions.
That 1t would take two or three
days TO organize the force or forces
that will 80 in pursuit Of villa.
That tho First aero squadron. sta
toned at Fort Sam Houston, Will be
q part of the eXpeditionary force.
Size of Force Secret.
That a close watch will bo kept at
all border points for any symptoms
of disorder that will necessltate the
movement Of troops.
General Funston. for military rea-
sons, refused to state how large the
oxpeditionary force would be; the
time the forward movement would
start: whether there would be one or
several forces and the point or points
at which the Rio Grandc would be
crossed when the search began.
II was known yesterday that Gem
eral Funston was willing to person
ally lead the force searching for VII I
Ia. Ii was explained here. however.
that the war department thought 1t
best to keep General Funston at
southern department. headquarters, I
where he would be In touch with and (
could direct the entire border stua-
ton.
II there should be more than one
expeditionary force. the common di- /
rection VIII fan to General Funston.
Another reason assigned was that F,
the entire routine Of the southern de-
partmont would be Interrupted If the /
commandng general were In the
field. General Funston said, too. that
his place probably would have had to
be filled by an officer OF lesser rank, !
not in touch with the border sltua-
ton
Funston 90 Visit Troops.
1t rs expected however, that Cen
erul Funston viii make frequent visits
to the positions occupied by the in
yading troops.
The movement of troops from de-
partments other than that command 4
ed by General Funston, toward the .
border already has been initiated, I'll
is understood The am1lgamation Of
scattered fragments of regiments. /
transportation Of the equipment of /
the commissary and other details +
would require. 1t was estimated by the |
general. at least two and probably |
three days,
An such troops will be transported 1
directly to the border
The utmost secrecy regarding their
exact destination win he maintained.
General Funston has insisted on this
permission to the war department. in +
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
do all in their power to keep him in /
formed.
There was a feeling at southern de
partment headquarters that the chase (
would be similar to the one which !
had as its object the seizure of Agui- !
naldo In the Philippines years ago.
What WIN Airmen DO?
Army officers are interested in /
tensely in the part the First aero