Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-08-23
Leaders Deny Reports That
Eight More MexiCanS Have
Been Killed Below Border
by American Troops. -
ADDITIONAL PLANES
NEEDED, SAYS DICKMAN
Jesus Renteria or His Family
Will Be Paid Balance of
Ransom Money to Keep
Pledge of Government.
Hourly Temperatures

Maria, Tex, Aug. 22-Additionai
cavalry troops were ordered to
leave for the river tonight. 1t is
possible they will join the punitive
expedition to relieve part of the
troops now operating in Mexico.
The number and destination of the
troops ordered south tonight was
withheld at military headquarters.
Probably due to the late start,
after awaiting the arrival of Capt
Leonard M. Matlack in an airplane,
the expedition reported little real
progress today. 1t was reported
by airplane that no bandits had
been located, but the troops are ex-
pected to move to new base south
of the one used since they left the
border Tuesday morning, and are
expected to resume intensive opera
tlons tomorrow.
Deny Wild Rumors.
Wild rumors that Jesus Renteria's
headquarters had been located, that
bombing planes had gone there to
bomb the bandit rendezvous, and
that eight more bandits had been
killed by American troops, were in
circulation here, but all were
branded as ridiculous at headquar-
ters. Col. Ralph r. Royce, COM
nander of the aviation field, said
the report that aviators were to
bomb the bandits originated from
the fact that he dropped a single
bomb from plane today to test out
a new type of bombs, but that none
have been carried by the airplanes
flown across the border.
That an effort will be made later
to pay the remaining $4,000 ransom
to Jesus Renteria or his family. was
indicated late today by Gen. Joseph
T. Dickmap, southern department
commander.
Fear Future Treachery. ..
General Dickman took the posi-
ton, at the time Captain Matlack
rescued Lieut.. Paul H. Davis with
out payment of the total ransom,
that the United States government
is too great to go back on its word.
even to bandits. He stated today
that he feared Captain Matlack's
action would result in treachery
on the part of Mexicans at a later
date, in case other Americans are
captured.
- Nothing will be done about the
matter until later" General Dick
man said, but when the right time
comes the government will under
take to carry out its agreement for
the ransom of the aviators."
General Dickman arranged to
leave tonight for department head
quarters at San Antonio. During the
afternoon he visited the outposts
in the Big Bend district to familiar
lied himself with conditions. He
was accompanied by Col. George T.
Langhorne, district commander.
Need More Planes. -
General Dickman reiterated his
previous statement that no more
troops will be sent from here into
Mexico at this time, but he added
that efforts were being made to
obtain more planes to maintain
liaison with troops in Mexico. The
general said that so far he had
heard nothing about additional
planes, but that he hoped to have
them soon. He explained that more
machines were necessary as the dis
tance from the border to the ex-
pedition increased
One airplane broke its rudder
control yesterday and narrowly
escaped serious accident in Mexico,
but landed safely.
The scene of operations in Mex
ico at present and for the imme-
CONTINUED on Page Two, Column One.l