Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1916-04-27
INSTRUCTIONS
ARE DRAF IT'D
BY SEC. BAKER
Data for Assistance Of Gen. Scott
Is Prepared at Wash
ington.
CONFERENCE EXPECTED
TO STOP VANDALISM
Cooperation Between American
and Mexican Troops the
Object

WdSIlllSlOll Aplll IO.-NeIleIdl III
structicns for the assistance of Ma
jor General Hugh Scott, at his forth
coming conference with Carranza's
war minister, General Obregon, were
drafted by Secretary Baker today.
brief conference with President
Wilson and Secretary Lansing of the
state department.
General Obregon was due to arrive
at Eagle Pass tonight.
The only official statement as to
the nature of the instructions was
the following, issued by Secretary
Baker:
"The instructions are to discuss a
basis for the most cordial and COM
plete cooperation between the Amer
lean and Mexican forces in the at
tanment of their common object"
While the immediate object Of the
conference is a question OF military
disposition to put an end to bandit
operations along the border, there is
no doubt that it's results will have a
strong influence on the diplomatic
negotiations between the two govern.
ments.
1t is considered certain that Gen
eral Obregon will carry back to Mex
ico City, on his return, a definite i'm
preston that the American troops
will remain in the position to which
General Funston is now shifting then:
as a buffer between the disturbed
area and the border until the sue
cess Of the Carranza forces in pur-
suit Of the bandits remove the danger
afrfMfther raids on American towns.
| II also Is virtually certain that the
intention Of the American forces to
police Thoroughly all the territory in
the immediate vicinity of their ad-
vance bases, will be made clear.
TO this extent, the conference will
give Carranza advance notice OF the
attitude the United States will take
in responding to his note of April H..
suggesting the withdrawal of the
forces.
Officials hope. however, that its
more immediate result will be to
clear away the misunderstanding and
suspicion with which the movement
of American troops have been re-
garded by local Mexican commanders
and officials; to free supply ship
ments for the troops from interfer-
ences with which they have met
heretofore, and to make possible joint
efforts for the capture of Villa.
With the elimination of Villa, eitlf-
er by American or Mexican troops.
it is believed the Washington govern
ment would agree to an immediate
retirement of the expedition across
the border
1t would be made clear in this con-
nection that United States officers
have no doubt of their ability to cap
ure the bandit, were it not for their
desire to avoid clashes with the Mex
leans such as occurred at Parral.
Renewal Of Hunt.
A renewal of the hunt for the ban
dit by American troopers now is in
General Funston and border advices
disclose The cavalrymen, despite
the worn condition of their mounts,
are beating the mountains where Vii
la adherents have been assembling
during the lull in the chase.
Villa Still in Hiding.
No information as to the where
abouts of Villa himself has been re-
ceived. The war department gave out
this dispatch from General Funston:
"Following just received from Gen.
eral Pershing:
'Namiquipa, April 25.-A report
dated April "a, received today from
Col. Dodd, whose column of four
troops, Seventh Cavalry, has been op-
Grating southwest of Minaca, states
that he overlook a band Of Villist:>s
near Tomachic, on he 22nd, at 4:30
D. M, killing six and wonndng 19
others, many probably fatally. Twen.
ty-five horses were captured. Our
loss, two killed and three wounded.
Fight lasted until after dark. I'm
possible to tell definitely loss of Vii
listas.
"'Dodd's column, when previously
heard from was at Penachic, on the
18th. Country reported very rough.
March made over difficult mountain
trails. Villa troops reported under
leadership of Cervantes, Rios Baca,
and tDominguez numbered $50 to 200
men. Eaca reported killed yesterday
at Santa Tomas. Do not give entire
credit to report Of his death.
"'Our killed at Tomachic were:
Ralph A. Raw, saddler. Troop l., Sew.
enth Cavalry; Private Oliver Bonhee,
Troop 8, Seventh Cavalry. Wounded:
Thomas Henry, Seventh Cavalry;
Thos. Hillman, T. Matthias, Troop l.,
Seventh Cavalry. Dodd returning to
Minaca.'"
A second dispatch from General
Funston follows:
Late reports from Colonel Erwin
Continued on Page Two)