Bisbee daily review., 1916-03-22
Army Pliers Thought Lost or Killed in the Wild Part of Northern Chihuahua Possi- ble As Result of Snipers.
HUNT FOR THEM IS
 BEING PUSHED AHEAD
All of the Aviators with the Column Left Sunday and All But the Two Have Re- ported to Pershing.
(sy Review Leased wire.J

COLUMBUS, N Mex, March 21-
 Two lieutenants of the First Aero
 Squadron are lost somewhere in the
 desert foothills of the Madres with
 but two small canteens of water and three days rations between them and starvation, it was officially made
 known al Military headquarters here
 tonight. Army officers do not credit
 reports in Columbus that the two
 lieutenants may have fallen victims of snipers.
 Radio advices to Major w R. Sam
 pie. commandant here. received today from Captain Foulois at Casas Grandes, commanding the aero corps. reported that Lieut.. H. R. Willis and Lieut.. Edgar s. Carrell. who left here
 last Sunday afternoon each in an army aerOplane had failed to arrive at the advanced base and that no re ports of the missing men or their bi- planes had been received. Immediate ly instructions were issued to drivers of every motor truck leaving here to watch for traces of the missing men and their planes. It is believed also that some of the six aeroplanes which arrived safely at Casas Grandes are being employed in the search.
 The eight planes started from here late Sunday for the flight over the 110 miles of desert and mountains through the Casas Grandes Valley, to join the eXpeditionary force. Neither of the men was accompanied by mechan- ic or an observer and shortly after the flight began the two planes were detached from the others. Nothing has been heard from either since.
 Tonight army men admitted that with the two flyers AS hours overdue at Casas Grandes there is much con- cern for their safety. It was pointed out. however. that the delay does not indicate necessarily. that the aviatOrs have met with serious troubles Mem bers of the aero corps cling 10 the hope that they may have encounter ed engine difficulties and been forced to land for repairs in some unfre- quented region. It was pointed out that Lieutenant w. c. Kilner. who started with one of the planes Sun day. was forced to return here after flying about 12 miles over the Mexi can border. After trifling repairs he again started and reached the advan- ced base safely. IL also was pointed out that it is possible in landing in the rocky slopes of the region. over which they were to fly. their planes might have been wrecked and the two officers may now be struggling to make their way to some settle ment
 Reports reaching here indicate that the civilian scouts accompanying the punitive expedition were leading small detachments of cavalry into the widest parts of the district in the search for the two lieutenants. Army men here tonight said that every effort would be made to expedite the search as the men carried only food enough for a few days and that both this and their water supply may have been lost if their machines were wrecked hope was based on the 'act that both men are athletes and are we'll able to care for themselves In emergencies. Lieut. Willis is 26 years of age and was appointed to the army from South Carolina while Lieut.. GOrrell is 24 and was appoint ed from Maryland Both took part in he recent successful flight of army planes from Fort Sill. Okla