New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-19
Reported to Have Large
Sums on Deposit in Banks
on American Side. !
ATTACK ON TORREON
CALLED HIS UNDOlNG
Army Expected to Return
TO Border if Federals
Press Advantage.
VILLA BACK AT FRONT
Leaves Chihuahua After Few
Hours at Jimenez-0eneral
Engagement Now Expected.
rRy reIegraph 10 The tribune ]


FL Paso. Tex. March ls.-surprissd
by Federal aggressiveness, the entire
rebel army, which had been modified
10 attack Torreon, is rapidly becoming
dcmoralized, according to to-day's Ad- 4
vices from below chihuahua.
Pancho Villas hurried return to Chi
huahua from the front and his refusal
10 give any information concerning
conditions are regarded in Chihuahu1
as ominoUs.
Federal sympathizers are declarrE
that villa is preparing for flight, ha>
ing large sums OF money deposited u
banks here and at other points on tDt
border.
This Federal hint, however is not rc.
sarded seriously by Americans. but d.
is considered likely that the whole rebel
army may be driven in confusion back
to the border i'm short time should
the Federals precs the advantage which
they undoubtedly have gained thus far.
United States Army Getting Ready.
While not admitting that a rebel
rout and flight of rebel forces TO tho
border are anticipated by the United
States army officers. it was acknowl-,
edged to-day that the American army
forces at border points would be
strengthened at once IL was stated at
Fort Bliss that reinforcements would'
be sent probably tomorrow TO Naco
and Nogales, Ariz., and II is said that
Texas border points also will be
strengthened.
Despite the assertions Of the Feds
erals, IL was announced in Juarez to-
night that Pancho Villa late to-day
again left Chihuahua for the front
near Jimenez, and that a general en-
gagement between rebels and Federals
near that point was expected. villa
had returned 10 Chihuahua after
spending a few hours at Jimenez, but
would give no reason for his return.
Unlike any other battle situation In
Mexico. both F6deras and rebels are
very guarded in their claims and IN
their statements of lighting around
Escal6n and JimeneZ Usually bol
are eager TO make claims Of victory,
which usually are not borne out 10y
facts but to-day il has been difficult
TO get Federal officials and Federal
svmpathizers to say anything about
the progress OF the fight and the rebels
are silent almost 10 the point OF fear 4
They say nothing whatever about army \
affairs.
Private advices from sources when
are considered reliable indicate that
the skirmish fghting which has been in
nroeress for two days between Jimenez
and Torreon and for four days around
Monclova has been favorable TO ths'
Federals in every engagement. There
has. however, been no heavy ffghting.
Rebel Base at Jinenez Threatened.
General Pancho Villas efforts TO
carry the battle 20 Torreon have failed
thus far, Federals from the Torreon
under General Pena, having
driven the rebels back from Escalon To
q point north OF Jimenez. and are to-
day said 10 be menacing Jimenez,
point which has been the rebel base
and where large quantities Of rebel
stores have been gathered for the Tor
reon campaign.
General L. A. Benavides, formerly
at Juarez and now COM
mandng the Zaragosa brigade is a.
vermo with his command. He had
been reported killed in battle, but ne
wired to his father in Juarez this morn
ing that he was unharmed. Benayides
is reported 10 have forced his way 10
Yermo after a skirmish with Pena'-
Federal command.