New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-20
Army Officers Believe US.
Troops Will Meet Ban
dit in Two Days.
AMERICANS MAKING
RECORD FOR SPEED
Flying Column Hopes to Block
Outlaws Retreat to Fast.
nesses of Durango.
From tn, Tribune Bureau ]

Washington. March 49, Officers at
the War Department said to-day that
the American flying column probably
would engage Villa within forty-eight
hours. Hope is held out that the en-
gagement will result in the capture of
the outlaw. II is admitted. however.
that probably only the advance guard
will take part on the American side,
and that Villa may be able to get away
while reinforcements are being brought
up.
The race between Villa and Colonel
Dodd is nip and tuck. The bandit had
five days start, but apparently failed
TO make the most o. his time, spending
some days trying TO arouse the coun-
tryside, when he should have been
making good his escape. News of the
first clash between his band and
Colonel Dodd's force is expected to
reach Washington Thursday.
The superior speed and training Of
the American army is relied on to head
off the Villa band before il reaches the
almost impregnsble Businesses of Du-
range. Information received here indi-
Gates that the outlaw is continuing
southwark up the Santa Maria canyon,
with the apparent intention Of reaching
the Cusi mining district before the
American forces arrive to check his
flight.
Villa Among Supporters.
If Villa succeeds in this maneuyre
it is believed it will be a superhuman
task 10 capture him. lie will be among
his supporters in a country particu-
larly favorable to concealment. From
the Gust district TO Durango his way
would be unimpeded. He has, however,
about 100 miles TO travel before he
reaches Cusi. II is understood here that
he is now approaching Namiqulps,
where he is believed to have stores Of
ammunition and other supplies.
The American flying column is de-
clared TO be performing marvellous
feats of speed. No army transporting
all its own supplies has ever travelled
at such a rate, il is said. After losing
FIVE days at the start, Colonel Dodd IS
believed 10 be neck and neck with villa.
with every prospect of thwarting his
supposed object OF reaching the Cusl
district
II Carranza grants the use Of the
railroad, as ne has been asked TO do by
the State Department, II is believed
that Villas retreat will be in vain.
Colonel Dodd's column, relieved OF its
impedimenta, would have no difficulty
In heading off the bandit chief.
Asks Money for Spies.
General Hugh Scott, acting Secretary
Of War in the absence Of Secretary
Baker. will ask Congress tomorrow for
$4,000 for spies and scouts, lack oil
which would greatly hamper operations
II Villa succeeded in getting INTO pu-
ranQo. It is said that II this money
had been available a month ago Villa
would never have been able 20 surprise
Colonel Slocum's command at Colum-
bus.
On his way to Gust Villa will pass n
point not more than sixty miles from
chihuahua and about forty miles from
Santa Ysabel. the scene Of the massacre
ten weeks ago, when eighteen Ameri-
cans were slaughtered by Villas band.
Gust is on q spur Of the Mexican
Northwestern Railroad, which runs
through 10 Chihuahua. II is believed
that Carranza will send strong force
from chihuahua TO protect tie rail
road, and that this force will join the
American column at San Antonio, a
few miles north OF Cusi.
The War Department, At the request