Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-21
CARRANZA MEN IN
REAR OF PERSHING

|CARRANZA MEN IN
REAR OF PERSHING
Continued From Pare ~
declined today to offer resistance Gen.
Funston's reports from tho commander
of the expeditionary forces told the
manner in which the forces are operat-
ing south Of Casas Grandes but offered
little reason for belief that any clash
with the retreating bandits would &C.
cur today or even tomorrow. Most Of
the Information reaching Gen. Per
shing indicated that villa was heading
for the mountains in the Guerrero dis.
trict.
The force actually being used in the
chase Of Villa was strengthened today
by the arrival at Casas Grandes of de-
tachments of the thirteenth infantry
and fourth field artillery and the aero
squadron. Reports to army headquar.
tiers did not indicate whether the aero
planes moved forward on their trucks
or by flying. It Is believed Gen. Per-
shing will Immediately avail himself
of the service Of the eight aeroplanes.
It has been assumed at army head
quarters that the Carranza troops are
Joining heartily In the task Of running
down villa but what the Mexican
troops are doing is unknown by the
Americans as the Mexican command
ers have not revealed their plan of op-
erations.
Gen. Pershing reported today that
the garrison at Casas Grandes was
friendly but passive" In the same 70
port he said that the Mormon colonists
there looked upon the Americans 40
their "rescuers."
New estimates by Gen. Pershing
placed Villas losses in killed, wound
ed and deserted since crossing the line
to attack Columbus ct 200.
Gen. Pershing made no mention of
further attacks by villa upon Amerl.
can colonists.
Instructions from Washington not to
occupy towns or cities met with no op.
posing comment ut army headquarters
Gen. Funston explained that there has
been no intention to occupy any place
He did not construe the instructions
as barring the forces from going
through town in the event 1t became
a military necessity.
NEWS or CLASH AWAITED.
Washington, d. c., March 2o.-In-
formation that the American expedi-
tionary forces in Mexica have estab-
lished contact with Francisco Villa
and his band Of outlaws was anxiously
awaited today by the war department.
Latest unomcial advices received
here said that villa and his bandits,
fleeing before the American advance,
had reached his own country In the
Guerrero district, where army offlcers
say he may elude his pursuers indef-
initely.
Elaborate scouting plans, 1t is said,
have been made by Gen. Pershing to
meet such q situation. As last re-
sort, trusted Mexican scouts who
know the retreats of the bandits
would be employed to run Villa down.
Sailing orders of the battleship Ken
lucky which had been ordered from
New Orleans to Vera Cruz were
changed today to send the ship to Gal;
weston. Secretary Daniels said there
was no need for the ship at Vera Cruz
and that reports from the gulf coast
Of Mexico were optimistic.
REINFoRcEMENTs AT HAND.
Columbus, N. NJ, March 20.-In-
creased activity on the part Of the
troops stationed here and the arrival
during the night Of a number Of troop
and supply trains indicated today that
additional forces shortly will be on
their way to augment the punitive
American expeditionary force now in
the field in northern Mexico.
In addition to the troops which
detrained here, a large part OF which
were cavalry, many passed on through,
bound apparently for some points
westward along the border. Soldiers
were kept busy throughout the day
preparing combat and hospital trains
and carrying equipment to the field
force.
One Of the problems which the com
mfssary department ut the military
base has been striving desperately to
solve is that Of supplies with which
to feed the troops.
The large motor trucks, the equip
ping of which has occupied military
and civilian mechanics for two days
were ready for service today. The
additional hospital and signal units
also were said to be ready for field
service.
Bath Tub Busy.
Indications that number of detach
ments on station here expect to move
shortly were the increased amount Of
outgoing mail and handled by the loca
,postoffice and the large demands or
the part of soldiers for baths. The
only bath tub in the town, for which
a charge Of thirty-ive cents hall
hour is maintained, was kept busy al
day yesterday and far into the night
and the proprietor asserted that hi
tub busy all day today.
/ Maj. w. r. Sample, commandant Al
the military field base here. was KEEP