The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-03-14
Details of Expedition
Will Be Left To Funston
Fighting General TO Haze Charge of Operations to De-
stroy Villas Forces--Anmunition Question MAY
Enter Into Struggle.

Washington, March 10.-Indications
late tonight were that the carrying
out of President Wilson'S order that
American troops reenter Mexico TO
capture or kill Villa and his bandits
would be let to the man on the ground
Mai. Gen. Frederick Funston. After
late conference with the president,
Secretary Baker announced that no
invasion of Mexico in force was con-
templated, that the troops would be
sent TO disperse or capture the raid
ers and would be withdrawn imme-
diately when their work was done or
when the de facto government was
able to insure peace along the bor-
der.
Officers of the general staff began
at once the preparations of instruc-
lions or Gen. Funston in accordance
with this announcement. Their pur-
port was not revealed. Earlier in the
day Gen. Funston had suggested tha5
the plans for troop movements across
the border be kept secret. He desired
to add the element of surprise to his
weapons for exterpating the bandit
force. Gen. Funston also urged that
cavalry be sent to replace the mount
ed force he might withdraw from
the border patrol duty 10 form the
expeditionary column or columns.
Steps to comply with this request were
taken at the war department
Whatever additional troops may be
needed will be ordered promptly to
the border. Officials OF the depart
ment and Secretary Baker himself
worked far into the night on details
of possible troop movements, supplies
and the like.
The secretary's call at the White
House followed busy day at the war
department. The machinery of the
generaI staff was set in motion I'M
mediately after President Wilson'S de-
cision to hunt down the raiders was
announced at the close of the cabinet
meeting. The war plans committee
assembled and went over the situa-
ton. Little detailed Information as
to the immediate situation on the
Mexican side of the border is available
here. Such matters are under the
5urisdiction of Gen. Funston, who has
his own intelligence officers. The
quickly reached the con-
clusion, it is understood, that Gen.
Funston must be left unhampered to
work out the problem Of pursuing the
bandits with what ever force he thinks
necessary and at the same time to Sc
cure American border towns and
ranches against repetition of the Co
Iumbus raid.
The committee also assembled facts
and figures in relation tc a possible
decision to sweep the whole o. north
ern Mexico with a military dragnet to
catch the bandits. Such plan, It
was said, while certain to end the dis
eurbed conditions along the border,
would involve the use Of troops by the
tens of thousands instead of regiments.
Figures as to the ,.orce the committee |
thought necessary for operations Of |
this character were not revealed. I'm J
rnediately after they were submitted |
to Secretary Baker, howeser, the lat |
ter arranged his con erence with Pres
ident Wilson and laid the whole situa.
tion before the commander in chief |
The presidents decision apparently is
summarized in Secretary Bakers state.
ment which is as follows:
There is no intention of entering |
Mexico in force. A sufficient body OF !
mobile troops will be sent in to To-
cate and disperse or capture the bands
that attacked Columbus. SO soon as
the forces O, the de facto government |
can take control of the situation any
forces of the United States hen re-
manning in Mexico of course Will be
Withdrawn The forces o: the United
States now on the border will be i'm
mediately recuited, but only for the
safeguarding of the territory Of the
United States from further raids.'
! II was said that by the reference to