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Show SUPPLY PROBLEM CAUSES ANXIETY Need of Railroad to Transport Supplies to American Forces in Mexico Grows More Urgent. San Antonio, Texas, March 27. Unless Un-less permission Is granted soon for the shipment of supplies over one of the railroads to tho American troops in Mexico tho pursuit of Villa may be seriously retarded. It was explained at department headquarters today that the lengthening lines of communication com-munication along heavy trails make It practically impossible to deliver supplies sup-plies by auto trucks and that already a serious shortage of grain for horses and mules had been experienced. With Villa known to be 'fleeing toward to-ward his stronghold In the Guerrero district, closely followed by troops of Gonoral Pershing's command, tho problem of supplying a field force without the uso of a railroad south of the bordor Is becoming Increasingly difficult This question Is causing General Funston more anxiety than any feature of the expedition. The advanced forco has penetrated moro than 250 miles into tho interior of Chihuahua. General FunBton desires use of tho Mexican Central line from El Paso to Chihua, but ho has delayed asking for It pending Carranza's answer to Washington's request for permission to transport supplies over tho Mexican Northwestern. No intimation of any change in the railroad change was given giv-en at department headquarters early today. Many officers are convinced that the success of operations depends upon up-on tho use of railroads in the territory. terri-tory. They declare the matter is-one of imperative necessity. The long dispatch -from General Porshlng telling of operations in the vicinity of Namiquipa gives basis for belief that in tho future he will keep headquarters more closely advised of developments. |