New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-21

scant supply Of water, the troops lett the
cars and formed in columns in the in
tense heat.
Puneins Into tho Desert
There was little loss Of time in plung-
ing into the desert, some mounted ana
others on foot. Great clouds OF fine desert
dust marked their progress over num-
mocks Of cacti crowned sand and through
dry water courses. Great tank wagons,
laden with the water supply, which mas
been Villas greatest problem, rumbled In
the trail. the wheels at times almost hub
deep in the sand. In these emergencies
branches Of the tough mesquite oush ana
soap weed were matted under the Wheels
sturdy poems put hands to the spokes'
streams OF profanity were addressed 70
mules in a. language said TO be In TINS
respect the most adequate in the world,
and the column would proceed.
The lips Of tho few foreigners In the
army were cracked and swollen from the
heat and alkali dust, but the Mexicans'
trained TO saich conditions, covered their
mouths with the folds Of their blankets
and Jared better All eyes were blood
shot
In this way. amid the suffering which
the harshest v ste of arid land in Mexico
can furnish. the outskirts OF Torreon were
reached. There was no opposition, and
General villa stated that there had been
none since he had begun to repair the
railroad south OF Jimenez The Federals
contented themselves with strewlng all
possible obstruction except bullets In MS
way. There were occasional exchanges
Of shots between outposts. but nothing
that assumed even the dignity of Skin
msh.
General villa was everywhere, for now
that the eve Of the battle Is at hand he
Is a fury OF energy, now grabbing tho
halter Of a refractory mule. now critics.
ing the lashings Of pack saddle, or
swapping orders at a lesser leader. lie
went from point TO point in his private
car attached to n light engine. and wher-
ever he allghted his horse, saddlei and
bridled, was instantly awaiting.
mime in a Week." Says Villa.
"Torreon will be mine in week. Villa
exclaimed jubiantly. Never has revo-
lutionary army in Mexico had better men,
and never have they been SO thoroughly
equipped. Every preparation has been
made, and we can't fail"
Practically all of the rolling stock OF
the railroad is now congested on the line
between Chihuahua, Jimenez. Escalon
where there is a water supply and the
front. Villa has food for a month and
two thousand rounds of cartridges to the
man, and his railroad service. unless cut,
can maintain the water supply indefi-
nitely.
1t is believed here that the Federals are
now completely cut off from the outside
world, even by wire. although the wire
less stations may permit them to com
muncate with the national capital, seven
hundred miles to the south. Villa pro-
fesses to believe that he will capture the
entire army.
Scouts for some time have reported
that guns and ammunition were being
shipped out Of Torreon in the direction OF
Saltilo and Monterey. General Villa, al
though accepting the reports with re-
serve. gave two interpretations Of this.
one that the Federals were trying to
equip force to attack his rear. and the
other that in the knowledge OF certain
defeat Velasco was saving as much OF
his artillery as possible.
General Carranza and President Huerta
some time ago agreed to the establish
men. Of q neutral zone. where foreigners
would be safe from bullets, but the latter
said they would stay in the city to guard
as far as possible the interests left In
their care.
George c. Carothers, special representa-
tive OF the State Department. arrived to-
day. and will be the guest of General
villa, whom he has known for many
years throughout the campaign. Caroth-
ers was smiling. but he let II out that he
took $4,000 insurance on his life before
leaving FL Paso. His particular duty
will be the safeguarding of the rights OF
foreigners.
Talk 0E MEXICAN CRicIS