Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-28
GENERAL PERSHING
ADVANCES HIS BASE
Headqusrters Of Expedition is Now
at Front Far to South Of
Casas Grandes.
VILLA MAY STAND AND FIGHT


FIELD HEADQUARTERS. AMERI-
CAN ExPEDITIoNARY FORCE.
CoLoNIA DUBLAN, March 2s.--t5y
Aeroplane to columbus. N. NJ,
March 27.)--General J. ]. Pershing
announced last night the establish
nlent of new base in the pursuit OF
villa. The second base Is much
nearer the location where the ban
dit is reported in precipitate retreat
than the old base at field heedquar-
ters.
The headquarters, Il IL presumed will
be maintained as an important link w
the supply station system, the chain
OF bases forming strong military line,
readily defcnsible. reaching distance
into the interior OF Mexico, which e
considered remarkable. considering the
fact that the army has had less than
two weeks to bridge deserts mountains
and many miles OF barren lands. with
out the benefit OF any railroad COM
municatlon.
Horses. mules and automobiles have
done the work and success thus far has
been attained by the ability Of the Amer
lean cavalry 10 travel fast and far on
iieht ratlons. accustominE themselves as
they travel. not only 20 a serni-natlvc
diet. but also TO difficult climatic con-
ditlons
Several cavalry organizations have
been out for considerably more than
week after start made on little
beef. salt coffee and rice or beans. Not
word Of complaint has come back
from these troopers
Troopers Make wonderful March.
Not a Agn has been received at head
quarters that they have anywhere fai-
tered Reports here give good cause for
belief that thus far the American troop
ers have proven themselves the superiors
in speed and endurance over the famous
Villa bandits There H. moreover, con-
fldence here that the cavalry will con-
finue its good work for At least two or
three weeks by which time Il is posi-
BILE that new organisations can be
thrown Into the case. The headquarters
Officers are all the more proud of the
cavalry's record because they began the
most recent phase Of the chase after one
~ the longest and hardest rides an Amer
ican cavalry division has ever made
The. men still In camp here express
growing impatlence to mount and start
southwark into the attitudes where they
know the cold is bitter and The shelter
on campaign duty ls snythins but com
Portable.
Evidence that Pancho Villa 10 prepar-
ing to resist the American pursuing col
umns and that the Mexican people are
not as yet rallylng 20 him. has been
collected by officers and the scouts Of the
American troops,
Tho officers who have ridden over the
various fronts now maintained In the
state OF Guerrero. where villa fled when
she United states expedition crossed the
border. have discovered numerous nig-
nsfcant Indications that villa miscal-
culmied completely when he forecast that
his Columbus raid. by drawing an army
into Mexico would cause general up
rising against Americans and especially
one IN his favor.
villa Moving seuthward.
The status Of the chase today IL that
villa is retiring continually southwark
trying hard 20 force recruits into his
ranks his men feeling the pinch Of hum
ger occasionally and hoping for an early
arrival OF summer 20 shield them against
the cold OF the mountains. where they
nave fetFeattus aomeWhert south OF
Namlquipa. In central western Chi
huahua. probably In the Guerrero dis
trict
The one question Of overshadowlns Inn
portance now being asked by the officers
IN the field is; 'swil villa continue 20
prepare for rcsistancef" II IS frank
~ hoped that he will for that 10 con-
sidered the best chance. barring a lucky
capture through treachery Of Villas own
men, Of bringing the American ex-
peditson 10 an early successful conclusion.
II villa refuses TO make any resistancs
at ell the men who have been over the
ground here. bsltsve Il may require
months AZ the least 10 crush him.
An officer who has been through many
villages where villa has passed within
week found that TO all appearance.
the bandit had failed to inriAms senti'
menf against the Americans.