Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-03-12

II was known yesterday that Gen.
eral Funston was willing to person.
ally lead the force searching for villa.
1t was explained here. however, that
the war department thought it best
to keep General Funston at southern
department headquarters where he
would be in touch with and could di-
rect the entire border situation.
If there should be more than one
expeditionary force. the common di-
rection will fall to General Funston.
Another reason assigned was that
the entire routine of the southern de-
partment would be interrupted if the
commanding general were in the
field. General Funston said. too,
Hlat his place would have had to be
filled by an officer of lesser rank. not
in touch with the border situation.
II is expected, however, that Cen
eral Funston will make frequent trips
to the positions occupied by the in
Vadng troops.
Troop Movement Begun.
The movement of troops from de-
partments other than that command
ed BY. General Funston toward the
border already has been initiated. it
is understood. The amalgamation of
scattered fragments of regiments,
transportation, the equipment of the
commssary and other details would
require it was estimated by the gen
eral. at least two. and probably three
days.
All such troops will he transported
Sairectly to the border. The utmost
secrecy regarding their exact dest-
nation will be maintained. General
Funston has insisted on this precau-
tion to the war department, in order
that Villa may be kept as much in the
dark as possible.
Army officers at Fort Sam Houston
believe the border is infested with
MeXicans friendly to Villa who will
do all in their power. To keep him In
formed.
Estimates of the time required to
capture the former consttutionalist
leader are not obtainable, but there
was "A feeling at southern department
headquarters that the chase would be
similar to the one which had as its
object the seizure of Aguinaldo in the
Philippines, years ago.
, First Aerial Trial.
Army officers are intensely inter-
estcd In the part the first army
aero squadron will play in the pursuit.
No American aero squadron ever be-
fore has had actual military service.
Machines were sent to Vera Cruz and
there has been aerial scouting done
along the border but this is the first
real test of the fourth arm" of the
service.
1t is not known when the squadron
will leave san Antonio, but II has been
announced that 1t will be ready by
tomorrow afternoon. Weather condi-
tons are now perfect for flying and
II is thought that the start of the
journey will not be delayed any longer
than is necessary.
Capt. Benjamin d. Fouois, com
.manding, the ten officers under him
pwho comprise the filters" of the
squadron. and the eighty troopers
completing the detachment, worked
hard today preparing for their de-
parture. A big part of the equipment
will go forward by train.
Fort sill Officers Go.
All of the officers under Captain
Foulois, with the exception of Lieut..
A. X. Christie, will go to the front
Most of them are veteran aviators.
Several of them participated in the
flight of the First aero squadron from
Fort Sill, Okla, last November when
the squadron was transferred to Fort
Sam Houston.
Captain toulois and Lieutenants j.
f. Carberry. 4. $. Bowen, L. A. RAIDER
and G. G.. Chapman are the present
members of the squadron who made
the flight from Fort Sill. other mem
bers of the squadron are Lieutenants
y A. Dargue, w. G.. Gorrell W. G..
kSner and K. II. Willis and Captain
T. +. Dodd.
While no reports have been re-
ccived of disorders along the border,
preparations have been made to quell
any that may arise. General Funston
has here about 1870 men, comprising
the three land branches of the serv-
ice, tina; might be sent to the aid of
tho troops already at Brownsville,
A.aredo and other Texas border points.
Pioneer .Airman.
Captain Foulois, in command OF the
First aero squadron, is one of the
aImy's pioneer airmen. He was with
Orvlle Wright on the first cross
country flight in America OF any con-
sequence-that from Fort Myer, Nir.
ginia. to Alexandria, in 1908. He was
an officer of the Seventeenth infantry
!. when he entered the 'flying corps He
is "a married man and has family.
The squadron Is undermanned. as
its full complement should be twenty
flying men.
The equipment. I'm addition to the
4 eight aeroplanes. consists Of twenty
heavy motor trucks and five motor
| cyoles The latter heing used for TIM