The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-10

way and organized plans will be laid
for his apprehension.
Officials received word of the de-
cision to go after Villa with troops
with undisguised satisfaction. Cabinet
members expressed themselves a.
greatly pleased. Army officers voiced
unanimous approval. A general feel
ing of relief that the administration
had finally decided to take the stel
was apparent.
The president himself is firmly con-
vinced of the necessity of eliminating
villa from the Mexican situation He
is represented as determined to ou
Yi8la- as he was to GUST Victoriano
Huerta-
The announcecent of the intention
of the president to send troops into
Mexico was accompanied by scenes not
equalled at the White House since the
declaration to send the Atlantic fleet
to Vera Cruz in 1914
No Naval Demonstration.
No orders had been issued to the
navy this afternoon but it was con
sidered probable that some of the At
| lantic fleet might be placed in Mexi-
can waters to be near if Americans
in coast towns were endangered by
anti-American demonstrations.
The government is reluctant to
make any naval demonstration that
might be construed as being against
| General Carranza.
Pains were taken by officials to
point out their hope that General Car
rama would realize the spirit in which
! the American troops were being sent
after Villa.
! Carranza will be notified fmme-
! diately that the United States has nc
intention of taking any Mexican ter
ritory and respects fully the SOW
ereignty of that nation.
CarranZa May Cooperate.
American officials realize that Car
rama may have difficulty in consent
4 ing to the presence of American sol
diers on Mexican soil because of popu-
lar feeling in his country. Carranza
4 himself, however, is believed to be sc
1 eager for Villas capture that he may
cooperate with the American troops
At the cabinet meeting the discus
sion of the situation was brief and tc
| the point. The cabinet unanimously
/ agreed that the only thing to do was
to send troops.
President Wilson took the same po-
sition and at once instructed Secre-
| tary Baker to issue necessary orders
He also instructed Secretary Lansing
! to inform General Carranza of the
attitude of the American government
| Leaders of both houses OF congress
were Immediately notified from the
! White House Of the president action
| They approved his course.
]
Before deciding finally TO send the
ferred over the telephone with Chair
man Stone of the senate foreign rela-
tions committee who told him he be-
| lieved the sentiment of congress would
solidly support his action.
/ was considered possible that W tn
in a few days President Wilson might
go before congress to recite the
series of acts by Villa which led up tc
the ordering of troops to effect his
capture
The president desires to move viii
the entir9 cooperation of congress.
Flying Column of 1000
The American invaders viii consis-
chiefly of infantry. There will be
| however. at least a thousand to two
| thousand cavalry. There will also b'
at least one detachment of field ar
tillery and several batteries of noun
tain guns mounted on pack mules
especially adapted for guerilla fight
ing anticipated in the hlly country
where Villa is expected to make hi.
stand.
A flying column" of about 2.Oot
men, according to tentative plans o
high army officials, will constitute tn,
probing force to which will be dele
gated the most active work Gf search
ing out Villa.
This force probably will concehtrat
at or near Columbus within twenty
four hours. From points west ant
east of Columbus the remainder o
the army will be concentrated AM
furnished with supplies and ammuni
ton sufficient to last until they hav
! gone far enough south into Mexican
: territory to turn toward each other