Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1916 — FUNSTON TO DIRECT HUNT FOR BANDITS [ARTICLE]

FUNSTON TO DIRECT HUNT FOR BANDITS

Resistance By Carranza or Mexican r People May Lead to Occupy V tion by Uncle Sam. Columbus, N. M., March 10.-1,200 Carranza troops, flying a black and white flag to distinguish them 90 that Ameircan soldiers would not mistake them for bandits, reached Palomas, 6 miles south of the border from Columbus, late tqijay. It is believed to be their intention to assist the American troops in the pursuit of Villa. Washington, March 10.—American troops were ordered across the Mexican border today by President Wilson to take Villa and his bandits, dead or alive. * Under the direction, if not actually the leadership, of Maj. Gen. Funston, who ended the Philippine insurrection by taking Aguinaldo singlehanded, American columns are expected to be moving into Mexico before tomorrow night. They go to meet about 3,000 guerilla troops in a mountainous region from which Carranza troops have fled. Whether this Tong-deferred armed action which begins purely as a punitive measure to clear northern Mexico of menacing bandit bands, over which Gen. Carranza has no control, shall grow into a general armed intervention or occupation in Mexico, depends ini a large measure upon Gen. Carranza and the Mexican people. . —lt begins with President Wilson’s declaration that it is entirely in aid of the Carranza government and without thought of aggression. This statement, prepared by the president himself, was given out at the White House: “An adequate force will be sent at once in pursuit of Villa with the single object of capturing him and putting a stop to his forays. This can be done and will be done in entirely friendly add of the constituted authorities in Mexico and with scrupulous respect for the soverei gnit y of that republic.”

Wilson Applauded For Stand. Washington, March 10.—President Wilson was enthusiastically applauded late today when he entered a theatre to attend a concert. It was the first time the president had left has study for more than a few minutes at a time during the day. Within an hour after the word that troops had been ordered to Mexico had been given out, messages congratulating the president on his action began arriving at the White House. One organization in New Orleans offered land for concentration camps.