Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-16
PERSH|NG, AT HEAD
OF 5,000.SOLD|ERS,
BEGINS PURSUIT
Forces Of De Facto Govern
ment Are Cooperating
With Expedition.
RELIEVES GREAT ANXIETY
AS TO POSSIBLE REVOLT
Little Probability Of Clash With
Bandits Before Friday
or Saturday.
PLANS YELLED IN SECRECY
War Department Swamped With
Offers for Volunteer
Service.
RELIEVES GREAT ANXIETY
AS TO POSSIBLE REVOLT
'L,Ns YELLED IN SECRECY
War Department Swamped With
Offers for Volunteer
Service.

WASHINGTON. March i5-wi;h
American troops across the Mexican
border tonight seeking villa and his
bandits. President Wilson and officials
Of the War Departmen resigned them
selves to wait possibly many days for
news OF developments in the chase.
Information that forces Of the dc IN 'tc
Mexican government were cooperating
with the expedition from the United
States served to relieve tense anxiety
that had been apparent on all sides
over the possibility OF Carranza troops
revolving against their commanders
and attempting to oppose the entry
Of the Americans
Although BriEadier- General Pcrshine
and Colonel Dodd marched into Mexico
with some 1000 men about noon to-Cay.
It was not until more than six hours
afterwards that the official announce
ment came to Washington. II was re-
celved this evening. and Secretary
Baker at once hurried TO the White
House for a conference with the Presi-
lent.
DE FACTO GOVERNMENT
APPARENTLY COOPERATING
At 10 o'clock the secretary made this
announcement:
The department received tonight,
in code a message from General Funs-
ton. which announces that American
troops crossed the border into Mexico
to-day. hut does not give the hour OF
the crossing. | am very happy to say
that the dispatch shows that the Mill
tary representative OF the de facto gov
ernment of Mexico not only interposed
no obstacle. but appears 20 be cooper
atinE"
Secretary Baker made it clear that
he had not given out the whole OF
General Funston's dispatch He said
that while the expedition was in prog
ress the department would make pub
lie details which might interfere
with General Funston uAns for Sc
crecy
Officers OF the general staff were on
duty at the department. until late TO.
night. but, so far rs could be learned,
10 additional information OF import
ance had been received. General Funa-
ton is expected to report only wien
there are developments. and IL Is gen.
orally understood that there Is ltt!e
probability OF clash between the
American troops and the bandits be-
fore Friday or Saturday.
Reports tonight told OF General Oh.
regon. Carranza's new Secretary of War
and chief military man, ordering Cen
eral Gaviria. commander OF the Juarez
garrison. 10 cooperate in every way
with the United States forces This
was accepted as convincing proof OF
the attitude OF the Carranza govern
m"nt. and any remaining fears OF trou-
Die between the Americans and soIdiers
or the dc facto government are .....
on tho possibility of insubordination or
of mtsta ken identity.
MAINTAINS RIGID SILENCE
As TO SITUATION ON BORDER
throughout the day the War De-
partmcnt maintained rigid silence AZ
[" the situation on the border. Gem
era' funston was moving his pieces
IN the grim game with Villa behind A
curtain of complete secrecy. It prob
amy was The most complete ccnsorship
the country has ever known and the
department itself was no, advised OF
'ne crossing until hours after the
troops were on the march
me only dispatch to the border
situation received by Secretary Baker
during the afternoon dealt with the
departure OF the Eleventh Cavalry
border patrol
Rumors which flew about the cor.
rid"rs OF the War Department all ,iav
dealt with reported lighting ~ both
SIDES OF the border. one said reri-
mcnt Of American cavalry had been
amnihilatcd. hut officials had no reports
on which such statements could have
hccu founded
only mcager news bulletins from
the troops in Mexico arc expected, as
tho four correspondents OF press asgo-
cations allowed te accompany General
Fershings conr,.iand viii be under
strict censorship. Nothing that could
DC OF value 10 the enemy will no par
mittcd TO pass over whatever line os
communica tion General Pcrshing kceps
open.
Such messages as are reiayed VIII
be very brief. At the most tho cxpedi.
tion Will have only held radio sets TO
keep in touch with the border, and
official reports will clog this means OF
transmitting news. Tho American pep-
pie probably viii hear OF tho CHASE nnd
OF the battle with the bs ndits II there