Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-11
Five Thousand Soldiers to
Cross Line in Pursuit
of Bandit Leader
CONGRESS APPROVES
ACT OF PRESIDENT
Punitive Expedition Not to
Be Considered if Nature
of Intervention

Washington, q. c., March TO-
The Mexican embassy got q te'e-
aram from Gen. carranza late TO-
day saying that 5000 troops from
various sarrIsons to the south had
been ordered to move upon the
Villa bands.
Late today an expression Of re-
uret from Gen. carranza for the
Columbus massacre was received
by the state department.. No OTTER
Of cooperation with American
troop, for hunting down the Villa
bandits was made but II one does
come It was said that It hardly
could be refused.
Mexico City, March 1o.-Gen.
. carranza does not care to make
statement In regard to the situa-
ton resulting from the raid on
Columbus, N. N. A rigid censor
ship has been imposed. News
papers are printing nothing Of the
raid and the public has not been
advised Of 1t.
San Antonio, Tex, March TO-
Nal. Gen. Funston Will personally
command the expedition which
will invade Mexico and capture
Villa unless the war department
orders otherwise.
Gen. Funston 10 at Fl. Sam Hous-
ton here awaiting explicit instrue-
tIons.
washington, D. c., March 10 -Presi
lent Wilson today ordered American
roops over the Mexican border to car
rre or kill the Villa bandits who yes
erday raided Columbus, N. M.
Major General Scott, chief of stafl
If the army, announced that the e1
,edition would consist of not less thai
1000 men, all of which are available
IN the border under Major Genera
funston.
No orders had been issued to tn
,avy this afternoon but 1t was consid
,red probable that some of the AT
antic fleet might be placed In Mexlcal
waters to be near il Americans II
coast towns were endangered by ant
American demonstrations. The govern
nent is reluctant to make any nava
demonstration that might be construct
Is against Gen. Carranza.
Elesio Arredondo, Gen. Carranza'
here, received the new
if the presidents decision with tn
statement that he could make no com
nent and would at once notify Gen
Carranza. Yesterday he declared
vas his own opinion that such actor
would not be resented.
Not Intervention.
In its present stage the president
,rder does not mean armed interven
ion In Mexico. 1t provides for punl
i've expedition to deal with lawles
orces over which the Carranza gov
has no control.
The following statement was issue'
It the white house:
AN adequate force will be sent a
nee in pursuit of Villa with the singh
,bject of capturing him and putting
top to his forays.
l"This can be done and will be dom
n entirely friendly aid Of the consti
uted authorities in Mexico and witt
respect for the .sovereignt.
# that republic"
81 It was said at the white house tina
he American government wants Vill'
lead or alive and that no steps will b.
reelected to carry out that object.
It was declared that the Unitet
States will not consider the punitive
expedition an invasion of Mexico ant
will continue to deal with the Carran
"a government. The American govern
nent is still opposed to armed inter
,ention in Mexico but has decided tha
he peace of both Mexico and tn
United States is i1nperilled by the con
inued activities of Francisco Villa.
The cabinet was unanimous in decid
np that Villa must be caught.
CONGRESS Wildly Excited.
Announcement of the intention o
he president to send troops into Mex
ca was accompanied by scenes no
,oualled by those at the white house
ince the determination to send tnt
Atlantic fleet to Vera Cruz in 1914.
(GontA0aed on page 81