The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-04-15
WILL CONTINUE
The VILLA CHASE
Persistent Reports That Troops
Would be Withdrawn is
Officially Denied.
FUNSTON'S ORDERS TO STAND
scant Consideration Given sugees-
tion from Mexico that Bandit Hunt
cease-suppIies Shipped.

Washington, April Categorical
denial by Secretary Lansing late to-
day was the official answer to per
sistent reports that the American
troops might be withdrawn from Mex
leo shortly regardless of DEVELOPMENTS
in the hunt for Villa. Both Mr. Ian
sing and Secretary Baker of the War
Department indicated that there was
no present intention Of changing the
original orders given General Fun
ston.
To Rely on Motor Truck Line.
News from the border that a train
load of supplies shipped by private
firms had left Juarez today for Casas
Grandes and Pearson, where they will
be available to General Pershing,
caused satisfaction here Although
the army authorities were not the ac-
tual shippers, it was believed the prac-
teal result would be the same Even
without further action by or conces-
sions from Carranza such use of the
railways, some officials say, meet the
needs Of the United States without
causing embarrassment to the de
facto government.
Secretary Baker indicated today
that in the present status of the Mex
lean campaign the motor truck lines
from Columbus are to be the principal
artery for supplies, with whatever
use may be gained from the railways
as merely supplementary. State De
partment dispatches during the day
from Special Agent John l. Rodgers
at Queretaro, told of the continuance
of negotiations with Carranza on the
railway question.
Puts it Up to carranza7
FL Paso, Tex, April 7-SecretaTy
Lansing's fat denial that the govern
ment was considering the withdrawal
of the troops from Mexico was re-
ceived here with a decided feeling OF
relief. Two classes especially, army
officers and American refugees, were
emphatic in their pleasure over the
official Quietus which has been put on
the persistent reports that the Per
shing expedition was to be abandoned.
There is only one Interpretation put
on Secretary Lansing's announcement
here-that it means a prompt forcing
to an issue with General Carranza of
the railroad problem.
Insist Villa is Wounded
FL Paso, Tex, April 6.-The story
that Francisco Villa is wounded and
that his capture is imminent was as
serted again tonight by General Ga
vira, the Carranza commander at
Juarez.
General Gavira made public a tele-
gram which he said he had received
from General Bertani at MADEIRA, stat
ing positively that the bandit had
been shot and was in hiding some
where between Bachinevo and Sa-
teyo
The message confirms reports from
American headquarters that Villa was
definitely located heading toward
Satevo. While the story that he is
wounded is still accepted here with
considerable reserve, it is pointed out
that several days have elapsed since
the fugitive was reported in the
neighborhood Of SateYo, on his way to
Parral, and that nothing has been
heard since of his movements.
Bandits Defeated Again.
San Antonio, Tex, April Sur
prised during their siesta, one of the
groups OF villa 5 force driven IIOm
Guerrero was defeated Saturday by a
squadron of the Tenth cavalry under
Colonel W. G. Brown, according to in
formation obtained by General, Per
shing and forwarded by him to Gen
eral Funston today. In this second
engagement the American troops
have had with Villas men the ban
dts loss was estimated at from thirty
to forty killed No mention of Amer
lean loss was made.
Villa Not in SateVo.
FL Paso, Tex, April General
Gavira said tonight that he had re-
| ceived a telegram from General BeT-
tani at MADEIRA in which General Ber-
tani claimed to have authentic infor-
nation that Villa, wounded in the
leg, was between NamiQuipa and
Bachiniva. He also said that if any
ViIlistas were headed south of Satevo
they were independent Of their leader
Search May Take Weeks.
If Villa was in full possession Of his
health and travelling at his usual
speed Of forty or more miles a day he
should have reached and passed Par
raj by this time, a fact which could
hardly escape being reported.