The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-03-16
RESULT VILLA MASSACRE
THE AVENGING EXPEDITION IO
START AT ONCE.
Entrance Into Mexico Not Meant as
Invasion in Any
Sense.

Washington, March 10.-American
troops were ordered across the Alexi-
can border today by President Will
son to take Francisco Villa and his
bandits dead or alive.
Indications late tonight were that
the carrying out Of President Will
sons order that American troops re-
enter Mexico to capture or kill Villa
and his bandits would be left to the
man on the ground, Major Gen. Fred
erick Funston. After a late confer
ence with the president Secretary
Baker announced that no invasion OF
Mexico in force was contemplated );
that the troops would be sent to dis
perse or capture the raiders and
would be withdrawn Immediately
when their work was done or when
the de facto government was able to
insure peace along the border.
Officers of the general staff began
at once the preparation of instruc-
tions for Gen. Funston in accordance
with this announcement. Their pur-
port was not revealed. Earlier in the
day Gen. Funston had suggested that
the plans for troop movements across
the border be kept secret. He de-
sired to add the element of surprise
in avenging the murder of Americans
at Columbus. Gen: Funston also urg-
ed that cavalry be sent to replace the
mounted force he might withdraw
from border patrol duty to form the
expeditionary column or columns.
Steps to comply with this request
were taken at the war department.
Whatever additional troops may be
needed will be ordered promptly to
the border. Officials of the depart
ment and Secretary Baker himself
worked into the night on details OF
possible troop movements, supplies
and the like.
Machinery Set in Motion.
The secretary's call at the white
house followed busy day at the war
department. The machinery of the
general staff was set in motion i'm
mediately after President Wilson s
decision to hunt down the raiders was
announced at the close of the cabinet
meeting. Little detailed information
as to the immediate situation on the
Mexican side of the border is avail
able here. Such matters are under
the Jurisdiction of Gen. Funston, VINO
has his own intelligence officers. The
commission quickly reached the con-
clusion, it is understood, that Gen
Funston must be left unhampered TO
work out the problem of pursuing the
bandits with whatever force he thinks
necessary and at the same time TO
secure American border towns ana
ranches against repetitions OF the
Columbus raid.
T. begins with President Wilson S
declaration that it is entirely IN ala
of the Carranza government ana Will
out thought of aggression. Inls
statement, prepared by the president
himself. was given out at the white
house:
can ADEQUATE force will be sent at
once in pursuit of Villa with the SIN
gle object of capturing him and put
ting a stop to his forays.
ssThis can be done and will be done
in entirely friendly aid of the con-
stituted authorities in Mexico and
with scrupulous respect for the soV-
ereignty of that republic
President Wilson's decision to de-
part from the policy of watchful walt
ing. hastened by the Columbus mas
sacre yesterday, was announced to-
day after it had been unanimously
approved by the cabinet and admins
tration leaders in congress. The
presidents position was explained full
" to the latter, who agreed that he
should not be embarrassed at this
time by discussions of a minority,
which might arouse trouble in Mexi
co. After a brief cabinet meeting. at
which the president was described as
being as determined to eliminate Viii
Ia as he was to eliminate Huerta,
Secretary Baker hurried to the war
department and as his first act in Of
flee sent orders to the border.
The committee also assembled
facts and figures in relation to pos
sible decision to sweep the whole OF