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Show COL. DODD HERO OF CAMPAIGN His Vigorous Pursuit Will Prove a Great Object Lesson Les-son to Bandits. Washington, March 31. "With Villa's main command shattered by Col. Dodd's cavalry dash, the war department de-partment expects that the death or capture of the bandit leader himself and the successful conclusion of the American punitive expedition to rid northern Mexico of his raiders will follow more quickly than it had at first been anticipated. Everywhere tonight satisfaction over the exploit of Col. Dodd and his men was expressed. Secretary Baker's Bak-er's congratulations were sent In his message from Major General Scott, chief of staff, to Major General Fun-ston Fun-ston on the border: "Secretary of war desires you to convey to General Pershing and Col. Dodd and commend his hearty congratulations con-gratulations on exploit." On behalf of the president, the White House authorized a similar message. In congress tho news caused a demonstration of cheers and applause In the house when Speaker Clark interrupted proceedings for reading of General Pershing's dispatch. dis-patch. Debate on the army increase bill was halted for the reading of the telegram in the senate, sent to tho vice president's desk by Senator Warren War-ren of Wyoming, General Pershing's father-in-law. Officials anxiously awaited further news. Army officers believed it probable prob-able that In the 48 hours since the fight there had been further sklrmlsh- po with thr hnrH-nrPRRPil outlaws rinfl possibly that even Villa himself had been found Believe End in Sight. Belief was expressed tonight In all quarters that the successful end of the American expedition was in sight. Officials believed that Col. Dodd's victory, vic-tory, if followed 'promptly would result re-sult in the death of Villa, or his capture cap-ture and would go far toward 'aiding in restoration of peace in Mexico. They believed the rout would discourage discour-age outlaws generally and deter further fur-ther desertion from Carranza's army. Tonight Secretary Baker Issued the following statement: "The success of Col. Dodd in catching catch-ing up with the retreating bandits and dispersing them shows the value and effectiveness of the careful prepara tlons made by General Funston, as well as the dash and vigor with which Col. Dodd himself and the members of his command have undertaken their task. "It is a matter of great gratification gratifica-tion to us all that the first encounter Is so decisive and that our own troop3 have suffered so slightly. The effect on both sides of the border will undoubtedly un-doubtedly be great. It will allay ap prehension on the American side by showing tho rapidity and effectiveness effective-ness with which our army acts, and among the Mexican people it will show the singleness of our purpose and discourage other bandits from sympathetic demonstration. "This comes as a very adequate an- 8TVfr tn those wlin fparprl that It would bo a long and painful pursuit before we overtook the marauders and gave strong ground to hope that the object of the expedition can be accomplished speedily." Unstinted praise was given in all quarters to Col. Dodd, the veteran cavalry officer, who rode with his command continuously for 17 hours, covered 55 miles and then engaged In a five-hour fighL Col Dodd is 01 years of age and has been in the saddle sad-dle practically ever since the troops were, ordered to the border. He will retire on account of age next July Appointed to the military academy from Pennsylvania, he graduated in 187C. He commanded the Third cavalry cav-alry during the Apache outbreak In Arizona, fought during the Indian campaign in Oklahoma, in the Chicago Chi-cago riots in 1894. |