Arizona republican., 1919-08-24

The American punitive expedition to- day continued it's march toward it's objective, which was a new field base, that is being established. It was the first time the entire expedition has marched in one column as the troops have been operating in separate col umns to run down reports of bandits location.
 Scouts are searching in the mountain canyons as they march, but it was ad- mitted here that the belief is that the bandits are further south The troops will spend their first Sunday. in Mexico in the saddle, as it is planned to make 8 forced march to reach the new base tomorrow.
 Condition Is Good
 All men and horses are reported to be in good condition, despite the week of hard riding and campaigning over rough trails, through mountain canyons and across deserts Water holes are reported more frequent since the expe- dition has reached the present part of the zone of operations. It is believed possible to obtain forage now and some beef. The distance is getting too great for pack mules to negotiate.
 Reports received from Cosme Ben goechea, Mexican consul at Presidio Texas. stated that General Antonio Pruneda with a cavalry column which left Ojinaga after the American troops crossed, was marching toward Coyame. The column has been at Cucille Parade for three days. Coyame is five miles from the Conchos river, 75 miles from the border. It is reported that Car ranza troops are stationed in that vi- cinity.
 Still On Trail Says Officer | Reports from the field in Mexico early today indicted the bandits were in the mountains and that the trails had ceased to be hot
 Later Colonel Langhorne announced:
 Progress continues to be made in pursuit of the bandits and we still are on their trail"
 This was regarded an assurance that the expedition was considered still to be pursuing a hot trail
 Camping tonight on Mexican mountain trail far in the interior of Mexico, American troops of the puni- tive expedition are spending their fifth night across the border While their location was unrevealed for militarv reasons, 1t is known the expedition is marching west of the Concnos river with mountain range on one side. and two ranges, one above another on the left. The Conchos flows toward san Juan Canyon a short distance to the left of the trail the American troops were following when a temporary eainn for the night was established.
 Scent Bandit Ambush
 Every precaution was taken when the camp was established for tonight in order to avoid a bandit ambush. The only fires allowed are to cook food which comes from the river on pack mules. Supper must be cooxed and eaten before dark so the Mexicans Will not see the fires. As further precau- tionary measure, the night camp was set up beyond the place where supper was cooked, and eaten to prevent re- vealing the location of the night camp
 Soldiers and officers look alike bv this time with mud-cal1ed cactus-torn uniforms and campaign hats pulled over their eyes Only the insignia on the collars of the olive-drab shirts and hat cords distinguish the men from the officers as they sleep and eat together on the trail and in camp.
 Colonel Langhorne tonight expressed himself as well pleased with the way the punitive expedition has been con ducted since it crossed the border Tuesday morning. The troops marched 70 miles in 21 hours to reach the point where they crossed the border and since their entry into Mexico have moved 60 miles a day over the worst trails imaginable.