The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-14
VILLA CONFIDENT HE
CAN TAKE TORREON
Rebel Leaders Troops Are Well Equipped and in
Perfect Condition for Impending Battle
Against Federas
From a stat co,,.spo,dens Of TEE sur.

RON stag Correspondent Of THn SUE.
CHIHUAHUA, Mexico. March 7.--Pancho
villa announced to-day that the advance
OF his troops on Torreon would begin
within . few days. This IL the first
time that he has been willing to commit
himself In any way AZ to the time Of the
move against Torreon.
The 0uinta Prieta. which tho General
occupies a. his headquarters, 10 q pre-
tentious house. new and yet with a bit
Of legendary history already attached
to It. II was built by Senior Prieta and
much Of Its elaborate furniture was
brought direct from Europe. Prieta. II
10 said. was engaged to be married to
q most charming young woman. and the
house was to be their home. but the
bride-to-be died on the eve Of the we'd
ding and the house was never occupied
until villa took II for his headquarters.
The rooms In the front Of tho house
are used as ofices and waiting rooms.
while the large central hall, lighted from
above. which takes tho place Of the tra-
ditional patio. il occupied by the General
and his household.
The tile paved entrance hall serves as
an anteroom, and here those who wish to
see the General stand and smoke the
brown Mexican cigarettes and chat or
listen to the singing of the Gagged canaries
In the hall beyond. Those who wait are
always an oddly assorted crowd. Ameri-
can mining men, officers. Mexicans In their
national costume OF short, tight jacket
ana brooches with Just little flare ut the
ankles and the rest NO snug that how
the foot can be inserted Ii mystery.
Then there are the usual nondescripts
ana usually one or more pairs Of elderly
women dressed In black and with black
n ~ hall A.
When Gen. villa comes into the room
the hrst impression he makes is one OF
extreme simplicity In dress and demeAnor.
This impression Is heightened In speaking
with him. for his manner and speech are
simple. his phrases forceful and filled
with q certain pungency Of expression.
Artillery T-sts successfsi.
On coming In from the artillery trials
humor and smiled delightedly as ne shook
hands
Three shots from each gun. three shots
from each gun and each cartridge acted
AZ perfectly as II made In Europe Or the
United States" he said. beamlng with
pleasure that the home made ammuni-
tion-literally home made, for everything
but the powder was manufactured here Ia
Chihushua-had proved TO be good. Right
In the middle Of the target every time
Yesterday the trials were unsatisfactory
and l told you about Il; you see that
when things are wrong don't try to
hide Il. but tell you the truth
The constitutiona!ist troops are now
thoroughly well equipped, the cavalry
horses in good condition and ammunition
10 plenty.
Although tho ConstitutionAlists have
afty-two pieces of artillery here and per-
haps a score more with tho troops abou,
Torreon. villa 10 far from placing hts
main reliance on the artillery. II Is mod
ern and apparently well trained but the
fact tina; most OF the pieces were cap
tured from the Federals while the troops
under him were scantily supplied may
have something TO do with tho Generals
feelins In the matter.
Il have not made much use OF can
non.' he said: 1T 10 on my men that I
count
mo. there was no fighting to-day" he
added that report Of . victory 10 a lie."
Here one Of the secretaries came In bear
ing q sheaf o: papers for the Generals
signature and villa turned aside to note
their contents.
The rebel leader is a tall man for n
Mexican, and strongly put together. His
hands are we'll maze and small. lie
wears a severely simple uniform OF light
gray with plain silver buttons. There IL
no braid or ornament and except for the
eagle einb roldsr,d In gold on bis hat no
INSIGNIA OF rank.
After signing the documents he pushed
his hat back from his forehead. showed
his hands into his pockets and smiled as
he turned again.
Torreon Dattl~ 20 Ne Decisive.
80 they say that Huerta has 2So. 900
men" he said. We'll. ! don't know
where ne got them unless he can make
men out OF clay"
How many men have the Federais At
Torr.onT' he was asked.
Some say that they havo three thou
sand. some four. some five and some ten.
I don't care how many there are" He al
most winked AS ne said Il. There Is
room enough In my hive for all OF their
bees" He spoke in manLer not at all
boastful. merely wishing TO emphasizes =
fact that he has full confidence In.
And shall not take all the artillery to
Torreon with mo four batteries will be
enough"
The battle Of rorreon " expected to be