Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1916-03-25
AMERICAN ARMY
ENTERS MEXICO
ON VILLA TRAIL
GEN. PERSHlNG LEADS PUNITIVE
EXPEDITION IN CHASE
AFTER BANDIT.
CARRANZA TROOPS TO AID
psIen in Attempt to Drag Villa
Out Of Lair-Food for
Army q Problem.

San Antonio, Tex, March is. --
Gen. John J. Pershing. with more than
1000 troops began the pursuit in Mex
leo on Wednesday Of Francisco Villa.
Gen. Pershing's report that he and
his command had crossed the inter
national boundary line just south of
Columbus, reached Gen. Frederick
Funston, in charge here of general OPP
erations, late on Wednesday.
The news OF his entrance into Mex
leo served to dispel to a great extent
fears that had been entertained in
some quarters that resistance would
be offered by the troops OF the de facto
government, Col. Bertani, the COM
handing officer of the Carranza gar
rison at Palomas, on the south side of
the dividing life. promptly joined Gen.
Pershing, His force was only some
400 men. but they were reported to
have displayed Willingness and even
eagerness to Join in the chase. The
Mexican troops will remain under
their own commander but a number
Of them are being employed as scouts
by Gen Pershing.
Communication Is Difficult.
Reports of progress in the country
where the search has been begun will
be made by Gen Pershing to Gen
Funston. but it is not anticipated that
these will be frequent or deal with
any but the more important develop
ments.
Col. George A. Dodd. heading a
smaller column, that entered Mexico
some distance west of Columbus. also
is moving IN a southerly direction and
the two forces should be within touch
of each other before the end of the
week. BY that time it is expected an
infantry support will hold the lines of
communication along which motor
trucks for the transportation of am
munition and supplies will be oper-
ated
Although the censorship imposed
by Gen. Funston was relaxed Wednes-
day night, efforts still were made to
keep secret the details of the plan of
campaign, the exact number OF men
engaged and their actual locations.
Ordered to Get Vita.
Cen. Pershing has gone into Mexico
with orders TO overtake and wipe out
Villa and his organization. Unless or
ders TO the contrary are received from
those higher in authority than Gen.
Funston. the campaign VIII continue
until Villa is captured or killed No
limits have been placed on the field
OF operation
There are now ayailable in this de
partment for operations in Mexico
more than 10000 troops. and if the
plans for recruiting the companies to
tull strength are carried out this mum
Der will, it is expected, be quickly in
creased. Cavalry posts have been re-
leyed by infantry in most eases in
order to furnish more mobile force
for the pursuit Of Villa, although in
the expedition that went In on
Wednesday there is a considerable
force of artillery. which can be rein.
forced at any time by several more
batteries that now are held on the
American side within easy distance Of
The border
Hiding Place Is Secret
If the exact Whereabouts OF villa
are known at army headquarters. the
fact has not been disclosed. Gencr-
ally. 1t rs believed he has moved
routhwatd toward The Guerrero dis.
trict in the foothills of the Sierra Ma
dres, but reports from Mexican
sources indicate that the de facto gov
eminent troops viii do their best 10
turn him northward toward the add
Yancng American columns.
Funston Sees Hard Campaign.
san Antonio. Ten. March Is -
Gen. Frederick Funston, commander
in.chief Of troops ON the border. pre-
diets chat tho chase for Villa viii be
81 hard and dimcult campaign. II,
said Cen Pershmg. commander in the
field. has his orders and vail NOV,
when re&Iy
II hope the American people an
preciate' said Funston. that This 4,
going to be hard and very difficult
campaign "a may he 81 lone one. ALSO
Gone of the best features co. the bus
t9e~s IS thJ 'act that the ar,
'u p'ondi8 shape far t'sw From
d physical STANDPOINT Not
be better The tme Ih.t u OF
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