Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-28
VILLA IS FLEEING 1
AT HIGH SPEED
To THE SIERRAS
Rapidity of Bandits Retreat Pre-
cipitating Pursuit by Ameri-
can Forces, Says Wire
less Report,
SEEK TO CORNER THE OUTLAW
All Arms Of the Service Being En-
plOyed to Force Him Into
q Pocket.
BEING CONSTANTLY HARRAssED


CAsAs GRANDEs.. chihuahua.
Mex. tBy Wireless TO Columbus, N
M. March 27.--villa is flying
southeast, toward the foothills OF
the Sierras. According to army re-
ports received here today. the rapid
II yof his flight is precipitating the
American pursuit. All arms OF the
service are being used in an attempt
to force the bandit into corner.
BL PASo, Tex. March 27.--Both
the Carranzistas and the American
forces are constantly harrassing
villa, who is at El oso, according
to telegram received by General
Gavira at JuareE today from General
Bertani. commanding at MADEIRA.
Bertani added that Of the govern
ment forces, Colonel Cano was the
closest in touch with the bandit.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex. March E.-Un-
less permission IL granted soon for the
roads to the American troops IN Mexico.
the pursult OF villa may be seriously re-
tarded. It was explained at department
headquarters today that the lenEthenlng
lines OF communication along heavy trails
had made Il practically impossible to de-
liver supplies by auto trucks. and that al
ready a serious shortage OF grain for
horses and mules has been experienced.
WASHINGTON. March N.--secrefary
Baker and Secretary Daniels held a con-
ference with President Wilson.
Later Secretary Baker issued a formal
statement saying all information reaching
the department from the border showed
that quiet prevailed and excitement had
been somewha allayed.
I'VE have no dispatches indicating ae-
tuai conflict between American soldiers
and any forces of any kind In Mexico"
the statement added.
Secretary Daniels denied current re-
ports that fnuch Of the marine force In
Haiti was. about TO be withdrawn.
EL PAsO. March 27.--The American
army forces have been allowed the
privilege OF using Mexican telegraph
1H0IEM. ,
announced here today by 0ensrnl oavira,
the caranEa COMMANDER at Jnares. All
communications. however, are censored
by General Bertani the Carranza com
mander at MADEIRA.
General Gavira said that General Ber-
tanl reported no news from the front.
but that he was working in perfect nc
cord with General PershinE.
This statement was taken 10 mean here
that American troops must be using the
lines OF the Mexico Northwestern rail-
road to MADEIRA. Persons who know the
country well say there is no possible
means other than the railway by which
cavalry could reach MADEIRA from the
casas Grandes base.
Funston Wants Railroaa.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex. March z7.-wtth
Villa known TO be fleeing toward his
stronghold in the Guerrero district.
closely followed by troops OF General
Pershfng's command, the problem OF sup
plying field forces without the use ef a
railroad south Of the border is becoming
increasingly difficult This question is
causing General Funston more anxiety
than any feature Of the expedition. The
advanced force has peneterated more
than 80 miles into the interior OF Chi
huahua.
General Funston desires use Of the
Mexican Central line from FL Paso to
Chihuahua. but he has delayed asking for
II pending Carranzas answer to wash
ington's request for permission to trans
port supplies over the Mexican North
western. No intimation OF any change
In the railroad situation was given at
department headquarters early today
Many officers are convinced that the
success Of operations depends upon the
use OF railroadsr IN the territory. They
declare the matter is one OF imperative
military necessity.
The long dispatch from General Perish
ing, telling OF operations In the vicinity
OF Namiquipa. gives basis for belief
that In the future he will keep head
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