The Fighting
The article points toward the "unpreparedness" of the United States Army in Mexico. A five hour engagement ensued in which the American forces battered Villa's men. No American men were lost and Villa is in hiding with his reign of power coming to an end. Interestingly, the issues the military faced, even simple ones like a machine gun jamming or an aviator having trouble, could fuel the flames of those in opposing stances. People take these situations and make claim that the United States military forces are not prepared for the fighting in the area. They refer to these individuals as agitators or cheap politicians. On the contrary, the paper supports the fact that the army has been giving a good account of itself and therefore has a credible position. The paper is positive about the military actions so far and even states that the military movement of the expedition was faster than Von Kluck's army moving throughout Northern France of the European War, later to be WW1. The paper commends the maintenance of a 250 mile line of communication. All in all, the article paints a picture that the United States is progressing well and that the forces were adequately prepared for the engagements. However, the actual merit of the military fighting may not have been to a degree that would have warranted a high scale of preparation. The military is not fighting a traditional war against a formal army, but is rather chasing a 'bandit' throughout the neighboring region of the Southern border. There are clearly differences between this type of campaign than that observed in the European War. It could be perceived as a lighter conflict in nature. Nevertheless, there is a baseline that suggests the fighting would be an early test of the American military and a precursor to the fighting that they would soon find themselves in across the Atlantic.
This text relays information about the American forces returning across the Southern border. 10,000 soldiers crossed the border and returned to the United States. During a parade it was mentioned that the men under Pershing's command displayed a high degree of physical fitness. Men have also been assigned to border stations. There are also 22 Villa bandits that are being held in a prison camp.
Newsprint, "Army Making Good"
Newsprint, "Pershing's Men Are On American Soil"
Newsprint, "Pershing's Men Are On American Soil"