Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-08-23
WHILE TRAIL IS
HOT j. 8. TROOPS
WILL CONTINUE
To HUNT BANDITS
General Dickman Still Insists
That Great Nation Like AM
erica Must Make Good Its
Promises,
PRAISES MATLACK FOR
SPLENDID HER0lSM
Rumors of Eight More Bandits
Killed and of Bombing of
Renteria'S Headquarters are
Called Ridiculous,
thy MORNING JOURNAL aprclAL ls,sEp wssl

| thy MORNING JOURNAL sPEclAL LEtsEp wsEl
Maria Tex, Aug. 22.--Additional
cavalry troops were ordered to leave
here to go to 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 eXpe-
dition reported little real progress to-
day. 1t was reported by airplane that
no bandits had been located, but the
troops are expected to move to a new
base south of the one used since they
left the border Tuesday morning. and
are expected to resume intensive op-
erations tomorrow.
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 We're branded as ridieu-
lous at headquarters. Lieut.. Col.
Ralph Royce, commander of the avi-
alton field. said the report that avi- |
ators We're to bomb the bandits origi- |
mated from the fact that he dropped
a single bomb from a plane today to
test out a new type of bombs. but that
none had been carried by the air.
planes flown across the border
AS long as the American punitive
expedition continues to follow a hot
trail, it will remain in Mexico, un-
lng. ard hDfg fn hA nptN trD NX l-a 1-GA-
ceived from the war department,
Major General Joseph T. Dickman,
commander of the southern Depart
ment announced here today.
General Dickman did not seem
concerned over the protest of the
Mexican government against the
presence of the punitive expedition,
saying that it was 1.-The usual fall
protest"
II telegraphed the war department
last night that the troops are still
on the trail of the bandits" General
Dickman said. 'As long as we are
able to follow those trails the punt
tive expedition will continue. If we
lose the trails and are unable to pick
them up after a reasonable time and
find the hunting no longer good, we
will order the troops out"
Explains Regarding Money.
General Dickman explained in de-
tail his position regarding the fail
ure of Captain Leonard f. Matlack |
to pay the entire amount of the ran
som to the bandits. Last night the
general announced that he had modi-
fled his original view of the affair, !
since hearing Matlacks own story, |
according to which Matlack over
heard two of the Mexican bandits
discussing a plan to ambush and kill |
both Matlack and Lieutenant Paul |
II, Davis, the captive aviator after !
the last ransom payment had been
made
This fact, General Dickman stated,
has put an entirely different light on
the matter. .
MY position was that the promise
of the great government should be
kept at all costs" said the general |
today II do not think that Captain
Matlack fully realized this fact, since
he told me that he did not know the
payment of the ransom was author
lied by the government, but thought |
it was raised by cattlemen.
Matlack Complimented.
"He was in some danger of being
cut off with Lieutenant Davis at the
time he made the dash, but he did
a very brave thing to go two miles
into, Mexico alone at night to rescue
the aviators, and it is appreciated.
''As l stated to Washington in my
telegram, if we did not keep our
promise, we would furnish excuse
for treachery in the future, which
situation would leave us no basis
for negotiations should Americans
again be picked up under similar
tt is possible to have
another case like that of Lieutenants
Peterson and Davis at any time.
ny day an aviator may fall. break
his arm or leg. and be at the mercy
of whatever band of Mexicans that
found him."
Reports received over the long dis
tance telephone from Preside, from
Mexican Consul Bengoeches, said that
cooperation between Mexican troops
and the punitive expedition is contin-
uing satisfactorily No friction be-
tween the Carranzistas and the Amer
lean troops is anticipated. II is stated
at headquarters that Mai. c. c.
Smiths force encountered Carranza
force on the trail wednesday and that
a friendly exchange of greetings fol-
lowed, the American force being per-
mitted to pass without delay
While Mexican and American
troops are reported to be co-operat-
ing in the zone of operations of the
punitive expedition below the border,
that the situation continues to be full t.
Of possibilities of a clash is realized
here. Every possible effort is being
made to continue the cooperation es- ,
Lablished between Pruneda's troops +,
and the Americans in Mexico. Mexi- ,,
,an officials are being consulted and
advised of developments.
The farther the American troops /,
penetrate to the south. the greater is :.
lContinued on Page Two) "