New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-28
PERSHING LAUDS
SPIRIT OF ARMY
Troops Are Eager for Sig
nal to Take the Hot Trail
of PanChO Villa.
BY ROBERT DUNN.

(By AcroplGnc to Columbus, n. NJ
Expcditionary Headquarters. Colonia
Dublan. Chihuahua, Mexico. March 20.
Sunday in camp was marked by
significant stir Early a battalion OF
artillery made the air blue, when many
of its mules were detached for trans
port service. Later a captain OF cav
alrv was bewaiiing in his tent an order
sending forward part Of his regiment,
because he would be deprived OF
enough cooks. The mist and fog, to
which we have become accustomed,
have just cleared.
In The light Of his camp fire, behind
a willow wind break, under the ofhcial
bulletin board nailed TO an enormous
cottonwood, General Pershlng an,
nounced tonight that new base had
been established 100 miles 20 the south.
This brings the heart Of the American
force in the pursuit Of Villa 264 miles
below the international boundary. Cen
eral Pcrshing emphasized the event by
reviewing the progress OF the cam
paicn and citing few OF the sig
niScant facts which had impressed MN
on his trip to the south. Chief among
these was the fit and eager condition oil
tho troops.
They are waiting on tiptoe for the
signal 20 take up the hot trail. ! nave
never seen troops more restless, IN pet
ter spirits for a chase. Those ielloWs
seem made for the sort OF hghtlng we
NAV be facing in this country. And ne
was no less enthusiastic IN praise OF
the record march of the infantry loo
miles IN eight days.
Villa continues his tactics OF traNel
bv looping trail, spending couple OF
days in each town, ioragihe Ahu I"eab
ING. But his influence among the peo-
nle has not been gaining. Thirty-hye
mon whom ne commandeered at "a
Valle deserted, according 10 the gen
oral on the plea that the Americans
were 80 close resistance was hopeless.
II was there that Villa dragged oil a
vouno woman. A priest IN another VII
ia0e with whom the general talked
nronised that to-day he would e%hor'
his people from the pulpit 70 greet the
"Grinoo goes" in a spirit Of frlendllness'
Tbey seem 20 be rapidly awakening IN
tho manner most characteristic OF theit
sort. 20 the beneficial presence OF the
Americans. This means. OF course IN
tbe matter Of trade, exactly as hap
Dened in Vera Cruz. u-.
Rancheros willingly bring out thelr
beef. hay, etc. to supplement our sup
NV train. Smai. traders are restock-
ing their shops by rail from Juarez ana
ri Paso. The country is well swept o.
mon. but the remaining women ana
children gret our dusty boys m oliNe
drab with smiles or willing "Buehos
tardcsl"
General Pershing confded many
placcs. names and dispositions OF
forces and the supposed plan or the
bandit which IL is forbidden TO write.
In addition he announced the establish
mcnt Of regular aeroplane service Dc
tween here and Columbus. 49,
While "s0mewhcrc 10 the southwark
villa is moseying along, laying over
with his 400 followers in little towns
like NamIquipa, General Bertani holds
sway with three companies OF enter
prising infantry in Casas GrHndes.
A dapper captain Of Bertanl's CON
sented to-day 20 talk, even Of villa.
"You must understand" he said.
frankly, "hOw hard II Is for our own
people % turn against their blood 70
fight for estranRer0s.'
Mornans a. Dublan had said the
felfsane thing.
"PauchO. a. any moment he desires,'
added he. "easily will collect 10000
men. and all over the country he has
dcpots. with 10000 ri1ce and cartridges
hidden. Think yourself, ~ II wonder
fi1 that We do no more sgains. bim y
And. indeed. II was not.