Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-05


Brown brought his cavalry withlr
easy range The MeNicans we're ".
ing about the place, many of thelr
asleep. and all their horses wer,
grazing. in many cases some distanc,
from the men Details of the action
were not told. but the MeNicans said
that besides those killed the Amorl-
cans captured an equal number OF
horses, General Pershing added thai
his reports OF the engagement lacked
confirmation, though his credence OF
che news was Indicated by the fact
that he transmitted it TO General
Funston.
The second encounter with one OF
Villas scattered forces aroused deep
interest AZ General Funston's head
quarters, whore additional details
were awaited eagerly. hut the interest
IN the reports was not comparable 10
that displayed after the battle at
Guerrero when It was believed the cap
ture Of Villa himself was a question
OF hours. Il was realized by army
officers that the effect OF Colonel
Browns fight and of other minor
engagements that may occur are un-
important so far as the greater prob
lem of catching of villa is concerned.
engagements OF that character. II
was said, may be expected now from
time to time and the running down
of the marauding bands IL essential
to the safety of the American col
umn. but 1t was indicated the only ef-
fects SO far as Villa is concerned.
will he to destroy the morale of his
supporting force and deprive him Of
Il certain amount OF strength.
There are known to be other bands
operating In that same part of Mexico
and part of the American forces
must remain to deal with them while
the other part pushes on in the pur-
suit of the fugitive chief
The action south of Bachinava
only served to stiffen the opinion OF
staff officers that II the punitive ex-
pedition Is to complete its work
great many more troops must be sent
into the country on the Mexican Cen
trail railroad from Juarez to Chi
huahua and even through Chihuahua
TO points further south must be
used for the transportation of troops
and supplies.
The admission at General Fun
ston's headquarters today that the
success of the expedition now de-
pended largely on the freer use of the
railroads or the material strengthen
ing of the long, roundabout line of
communication and its branches, re-
vealed situation that It was be-
lieved might alter the entire plan of
pursuit.
Villas latest southwark shift was
credited in official quarters since II
came from consular reports In which
the outlaw was located we'll beyond
Chihuahua City and evidently trying
TO reach Parral, or perhaps even
Torreon or Durango CITY In the Vi
cinity OF all those cities. there are
known TO be operating organized
forces Of Villas men aggregatlng
strength of some thousands.
According to all reports, villa APP
pears to be travelling fast now and
already has placed between himself
and the pursuing Americans "A con-
siderable distance.
70 meet the new situation, staff
officers here assert, a quicker means
Of sending forward troops and sup
plies should be made. and It is point
ed out that the direct Juarez- -Chhua-
hua railroad offered that means, or
u large number Of troops must be
sent to Columbus Immediately for
In Mexico.
TO reinforce the line of communi- !
,ation now maintained would require I
he calling Of the few regiments lett I
n the United states other thnn those
in border patrol duty and !
stationed In the southern department /
None of the troops stationed along
he border could be used, in the opin-
on of army officers here, unless they
ire replaced by other military units
rhe only remaining reeiments that
night be called are the Second cav
llry and the Third and Thirteenth
Army men do not believe, however.
hat the troops along the line of COM
if increased by these
hree regiments. would be adequate
o guard the line OF It's extended com
east from Guerrero and
hen south as far as the chase of VII
a might require.