The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-13
Carranza Sending Troops to
Big Bend District.
May Be Result of Pact Reached
at Conference.
PFP2AllEG SHORTENING LINE
Removing Base Cuts Supply
Route PIG Miles.
No Move Until Scott Reports at
Washington.

Field Headquarters Near Mani :
quipa Chihuahua. May 12.-(Wireless
to Columbus, n. M, May 13.-Detach-
ments of American troops are investi-
eating rumors that Villa at the head
of a command of 100 is hiding in the
mountains between Ascension, Chi
huahua. and Culberson ranch, about
C5 miles west of Columbus, on the
American side of the frontier.
Close on Big Bend Bandits.
Marathon, May 13.-Major George
T. Lanshorne and his flying squadron
OF the Eighth cavalry are dashing
over the white sandhil1s in Mexico to-
cay in a supreme effort to surprise the
Mexican raiders OF Glenn Springs and
Eoquillas.
1ney seek to rescue alive, if pos
sibIe, Jesse Deemer and two other
Americans, John Woodson and f.
Ellsworth, according to information
reaching here today.
Crossing was made yesterday and
military men here believe that by to-
night Major Langhorne will have COW
cred so miles in the chase after the
bandits, who were last reported at a
point seventy miles south OF the border
from BoQuillas, in an abandoned cave.
Close behind Major Langhorne is
Colnel A q. McComb and a detach-
ment of the Fourteenth cavalry,
whose business it will be to furnish
supplies and forage to Langhorne and
to fight off snipers.
Run Down Persistent Rumor.
Columbus, n. M, May 13.-Press
reports today brought to Major w. r.
II. G. Sickel, commanding the border
patrol. the first intimation that
troops of General John j. Pershing' S
cXpeditionary force are investigating
a rumor that Francisco Villa is hiding
in the Sierra Madres of northwestern
Chihuahua.
A detachment of cavalry stationed
at Culbertson's ranch reported no
knowledge of the presence of any
large body of MeXicans in that vici-
nifty.
Cavalry stationed near Ascension, it
is assumed here, is on a scouting tour
to investigate the rumor although Of
ficial reports here said nothing of
such a movement 1t has been per-
SiStently rumored since the Columbus
raid two months ago, that Villa did
not go south with the main body of
his command.
1900 Carranzistas Join Chase.
Washington, May 13.-Dispatch of
1900 CarranZa troops northward to-
ward the border in the Big Bend dis
trict of Coahulia reported in border
adVlceS, was regarded by officials here
today as possibly indicating that the
Mexican de facto government is MAX
ing renewed efforts to capture bandits
who have raided American border
towns.
Reports that the expedition might
have a hostile purpose were not re-
garded seriously by administration
authorities. They intimated that the
action tended to strengthen the belief
that American and Mexican military
authorities at Ell Paso had reached an
unwritten agreement on cooperation
along the border to prevent further
bandit raids.
The Mexican situation showed no
sign of immediate change here today
War department authorities empha-
sized that although General Pershing
is concentrating his forces in Mexico
and shortening his line PIG miles, he
is ready to dash southwark still fur
Their if definite reports should be re-
ceived of villa or his bandits.