File No. 812.00/18958
General Funston to the Secretary of War
2448. Following received from General Pershing:
Through information received from Mexican prisoners who participated in Columbus, N. M. raid, names of 60 Villa bandits from the vicinity of Namiquipa, [Page 607] Cruces, San Geronimo and Bachinova who accompanied Villa to Columbus, N. M., have been obtained. These include fourteen previously surrendered to civil authorities at Madera whose surrender was demanded of General Gavira at my conference with him. The list includes eight officers. The proof against all of them would be conclusive before any court in the United States. Since the arrival of the Carranza garrison at Namiquipa, Colonel Diaz, the commander, has granted amnesty to all these outlaws and they have returned to their homes. This action can only be regarded as a direct approval by the de facto Government of their offenses, and in defiance of efforts of this expedition. It is recommended that a strong representation be made in this matter, accompanied by a demand for the capture and surrender to the American forces of these men as a preliminary to negotiations between the two Governments. A large proportion of these outlaws would have been captured by our troops but for the open opposition of both civil and military de facto officials.