Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-03-16
Veteran Commander of Villa
Expedition Given Full Au-
thorlty to Select Troops
and Routes.
FORCES TO MOVE PROMPTLY
Upward of 10000 Men and 48
Artillery Batteries Available
For an Immediate
Advance.
PLANS ARE KEPT SECRET
Congress Generally Supporting
Action of President Which
Is Based on Treaties
and Precedents.

san Antonio. Tex. March ID
Maj, Gen. Frederick Funston an
nounced today that while he will have
olfectlon OF military affairs along the
Mexican border, the expedition into
Mexico will be in charge of a brigadier
general, whose name, he said, would be
given OF at Washington.
Organization of the expedition will
not be completed for two or three days,
General Funston said. as troops from
other army divisions than the SOUTH
ern will be added to the border forces.
The general maintained silence today
as to the size of the expedition and the
points of entry into Mexico. The full
aero squadron here will the
expedition.
Washington. ID. c., March 13.-No
oeflnlte announcement was made at
the war department, but it was gem
orally understood that Brig. Gen. John
FL. Pershing will m the prin-
clpal column of American troops in the
pursuit of Villa, Major General Funs-
operations. which it is expected will
involve the use of three or moro
columns.
Washington. ID. c.. March l3.-In-
structions conveying full authority to
General Funston to dispatch a defen-
sive expedition into Mexico in pursuit
of Villa and his bandits are today in
General Funston's hands. Secretary
Baker that full discretion
as to the number of men to be used
and the route to be followed has been
LETT with General Funston.
General Funston has order from
PRESIDENT Wilson to take Francisco
villa and his outlaws, dead or alive.
ana the Washington government ex-
poets him to execute them.
General Funston is expect to have
American troops moving into Mexico
before nightfall.
Plans Are Guarded.
General Instructions were sent ia
General Funston last night after a long
conference between officers of the gen
eral staff at the war department, when
plans Tor troop movements across the
border We're formulated.
The Strictest secrecy was being OBJ
served by the war department officials
today regarding the army's program
for the capture of the bandits. This
is in accordance with the urgent re-
quest OF General Funston, the object
beng TO prevent Villa from learning
of the movements of the expedition.
Administration officials made it plain
that the expedition was purely q punt
1--WE measure for the suppression of
outlaws ana that as soon as the forces
of the defacto government of Mexico
We're in control of the situation any
American troops then in Mexico would
be withdrawn.
Secretary Baker specially referred to
the expedition as "~defensive," in line
with the administrations policy of re-
garding it's action as one to repel in
vasion.
I'm IN r,rrr f,J.,, -.
actually had crossed so far as was
known here, and it was believed none
would start moving before night. All
arrangements are being left in the
hands of Major General Funston.
Keep Tab on Villa.
Villa today was reported moving
southeast with not more than 300 men.
Last nights report CAV his force as
5000, but that is believed to include
sympathiZers in his territory. BY his
movement southeast, it was thought q
threatened attack on the American
Mormon colony at Casas Grande had
passed for the present.
The war department. today was de-
luSed with kilograms from individuals
and organizations offering service as
volunteers. There was at present, Sec
rotary Baker said, no need for sum-
moning volunteers 20 the colors.
Latest reports OF the whereabouts of
General Villa say he reached Ascen-
sion, south Of Palomas, some time yes
terday with 300 followers after his
flight following the attack on Column
bus. This information reached here
embassy from Consul Reas Garcia at
FL Paso.
Secretary Baker said he had no an
nouncement to make as to whether
General Funston would lead the ex-
peditionary forces. 1t was pointed out
ItL,t co,,arp1 - rfto, rlo l;cs.-
leaders might be sent from various
points along he border.
Pablo Lopez Dead.
General Funston confirmed today Of
ficially the killing of Pablo Lopez,
Villas chief lieutenant, during the raid
on Columbus, and also the report TIL: {
Lopez commanded the bandits who
at Santa Yzabel.
General Funston also confirmed the
report that 400 Carranza troops had
reached Palomas, six miles south Of
Columbus, to join in the pursuit of
Villa.
A total Of 81 dead Mexicans have
been found in and about Columbus,
General Funston reported. A report
that IS more bodies are lying in the
brush between the town and the Dor
der is being investigated.
Secretary Baker has suggested to
General Funston that the army aero
squadron, now at San Antonio, be en-
pIoyed fully in connection with the
pursuit of the Villa bandits.
Carranza is Informed.
The state department. has informed
General C%arranza of the action OF the
Washington government and expressed
the hope that he would not object.
Elizio Arredondo. C~arranza's alnbas-
sador here, has indicated that his chief
would not oppose the movement.