The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1919-08-23
BANDIT CHASE TO
CONTINUE AS LONG
AS TRAILS CAN Be
FOLLOWED DICKMAN
Twenty Powerful Airplanes
Being Held in Readiness to
Augment Force Now =.
Searching for Miss
ing AviatOrs

after a day of limited opera
tons, the American punitive
expedition faced the probable
ity of a forced march tonight to
reach new base from which
troops will scout tomorrow for
the bandits who held two
American aviators for ransom.
Reports from the Mexican consul at
Preside, Tex, stated that cooperation
between Mexican troops and the Amer
/, leans was continuing satisfactorily, and
that there was no anxiety over possible
friction.
Gen. Joseph T. Dickman, commander
of the southern department, reiterated
that no more troops would be sent from
Texas into Mexico at this time He add
ed, however, that efforts were being
made to obtain more planes to maintain
liasion with troops in Mexico, and that
he hoped to have them soon. More
S chimes become necessary as the distance
from the border to the expedition in
creases, he explained
General Dickman set at rest reports
that the troops would soon be withdrawn
by stating that the search would con-
tinue long as it is possible to follow
the trails.
One airplane in Mexico broke its rud-
der in control yesterday and narrowly
escap ped serious accident
The scene of operations at present and
for the immediate future is the country
over which Villa operated in November,
1917, when he attacked and captured
Ojinaga and threatened Preside, Tex.
Villa moved down the river toward Dim
aga, depIoyed his forces on the plain be-
fore that town and attacked from three
sides. Reinforcements for the federal
garrison arrived along the same trail
that the aviators followed in their at
tempt to find their way out
1t was believed today that at least one
of the bandits was in the vicinity of the
place where the Villa rebels in the Dim
aga district made their refuge in the
mountains.
Ildefonso Sanchez, another Villa
leader, was seen in the same district in
which the Americans were operating sew
eral months ago He has small bands
scattered through the mountains.
EVERY PROBATION TAKEN
American troops are taking every pre-
caution to prevent an ambush that might
prove another trap like that at Car
RIAL, at the time of the Pershing ex-
petition At night the troops sleep and
stand guard in rotation. An advance
guard investigates every canyon, house
and mountain trail to prevent surprise
attacks.
Carranza troops under General Pruneda
are at Cuchillo Parade and there is an
other federal command at San Jose, OPP
posite Indio, Tex. They have made no
innC w An1o ri "a n
troops.
The line of communication is being
closely guarded and airplanes are watch
ing every body of Mexicans in the zone
of operations.
General Dickman and Col. George T.
Ianghorne left late today on long
ride General Dickman said that he did
not know whether he would go to the
river He denied reports that eight more
bandits had been killed below the border.
1t was stated at headquarters that
Mai c. c. Smiths column encountered
a Carranza force in trail Wednesday and
that friendly exchange of greetings
followed.
Every effort is being used to continue
the cooperation established between
General Pruenda's troops and the Amer
leans Mexican officials being con-
suited and advised of developments. 1t
is realized that as the Americans pene-
trate farther south chances of clash in
crease
Nothing had been heard here today con-
corning the success of the pursuit of the
bandits who escaped Wednesday, when
four of their companions were killed by
American troops willie the bandits were
in a blockhouse guarding a Mexican
trail According to Captain Matlack's
report two escaped from the blockhouse
and climbed the side of the mountain.
TESTING AERIAL BOMBS
Aviators were testing aerial bombs
on the flying field here today. The
Bombs would be used should the troops
in Mexico encounter any considerable
rumber of bandits. Airmen also flew
up the Conchos river looking for the
wrecked plane of Lieutenants Peterson
and Davis, who were held for ransom.
They will try to salvage the machine
guns and instruments from the plane.
Cavalrymen from the expedition came
into Candearia today and reported no
developments below the border when they
left for the Rio Grande.
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 punitive expedition will con-
tinue. If we lose the trails and are I'M
able top pick them up after reasonable
time and find the hunting no longer good,
we will order the troops out.
General Dickman had high praise for
the Eighth and the Fifth cavalry and for
the way that Colonel George 7. Lang