The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-03-25
Mexican Guerrilla Tactics Have
Already Claimed Several
Victims Among Sold
iers, Says Report.
SOUTH OF LINE NOW
Tenth Cavalry Hurrying Towards
Villas Refuge by Forced Marches
and Led by Mormon Scouts
Will Increase Army

Columbus, N. NJ, March 17-While
most of the reports reaching here I'M
officially today from the Mexican Dor
der indicated that the American troops
in Mexico were unmolested in their
advance, there were also reports that
few snipers had been encountered.
There was nothing to show which Of
the American columns might have en-
countered snipers.
According to these reports six or
seven soldiers of the American expe-
dition had been hit by snipers.
Troop trains came in here during
the night and Columbus awoke today
to find the camp had grown consider
ably in population since last evening.
A new lot of cavalry horses was not
iced. Great piles of supplies in boxes
and stacks of baled hay had sprung
up near the railway station. Quarter
master wagons left constantly over the
road to the south during the day.
In a sage brush plain off to the side
OF the camp a number of aeroplanes
were tried out. None of the aviators
has yet joined the advance column, SO
far as could be ascertained here.
The strict military censorship of all
news on troop movement out of Co
lumbus has not yet been relaxed.
Led by Mormon Scouts.
Ell Paso, Tex, March 1.-THE Sew
enth and Tenth cavalry, said to be ad-
vancing in Mexico by forced marches
from Culberson's ranch, near Haehita,
N. M, were nearing the Villa territory
in the Casas Grandes region tonight,
according to the most reliable informa-
ton which could be obtained here.
These troops are reported to be
marching with the minimum of equip
ment and to be led by Mormon scouts
from the Mormon colonies at Colonia
Dublan and Colonia Morales. From
their point of departure the distance
is eighty-fve miles to Casas Grandes.
If Villa intends to offer any organized
resistance to his pursuers, it is con-
sidered possible that United States
soldiers may come in contact with his
outlying posts very soon.
Villas Intentions a Mystery.
What the intentions of Villa are re-
mains profound mystery today. An
dres Garcia, the Carranza consul here,
asserted today that from information
in his possession, he was satisfied
that Villa had disbanded most of his
men and intended to take refuge in
the heart of the Sierra Madres with
only three or four trusted companions.
Thousands of men are not wanted
to pursue Villa" said Consul Garcia.
"He has no intention of fighting any
one, but will take refuge in the noun
tains, which he knows so well. He will
be captured, l believe, when a price is
put on his head"
Washington in the Dark.
Washington, March 17.-An impen-
etrabIe wall of secrecy surrounded to-
night the movements of American
troops beyond the Mexican border. So
far as official Washington was advised
the columns virtually might have van
ished into thin air when they crossed
the international boundary in pursuit
of Villa. Even the commandment.
chief, President Wilson, did not know
where General Pershing's men were.
ConsuIs Give Little Aid
American consuls in Mexico so fan
AdNC OCCA dOIC " give lllIl0 dlu 10 luS
troops, although all are on watch fol
Information that might indicate the
bandits movements. Consular ad
vices today continued to report gener
ally quiet conditions. Officials dis
played some concern over the situa
ton in the Tampico district, however
where there are signs of unrest Tn,
battleship Kentucky was ordered bacl
to Vera Cruz from New Orleans.
Troops Cross Border.
San Antonio, Tex, March 16-Gen
John J. Pershing with more than fou
thousand troops began the pursuit il
Mexico today of Francisco Villa, who's,
raid across the border last weel
caused President Wilson and his cab
met to decide to use the United State
army to run him down
General Pershing's report that b
and his command had crossed the in
ternational boundary line just soutl
of Columbus, reached Gen. Frederic