El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-06-25
VILLA TROOPS WITHDRAWING
RAPIDLY TOWARDS THE NORTH
Americans Returning from the South Report Few Troops
Below Torreon; Durango Is Suffering For Food and
Fears a Famine; Americans in the Tampico Oil
District Are Reported as in Bad Way.

4 y American who arrived here
"A from Zacatecas Thursday, states
that there are no large forces Of
ViIlistas anywhere along the railroad
south Of Torreon and that a large num-
her Of troops have been withdrawn to
Torreon in the last few days. He states
that the authorities in eastern Durango,
fearing a famine, are making every
effort to prevent the expectation Of
fOodstuffs from the state. thus leaving
TOrreon 20 rely on railroad communica-
ton for supplies. Though the city is
not yet short Of food. the American says
that any interruption in railroad traffic
north would cause a seriOuse shortage.
he reports q clash between an isolated
band Of Carrancistas and force from
Torreon at point west Of Peradon,
in which the Carrancistas were badly
defeated This occurred on June Il
and about 80 prisoners were brought to
TOrreon-
Both Claim Victory.
Representatives Of both Mexican fac
tons here continue TO claim that their
side holds AEuascalientes- Though
Gen Oregon has not yet made a formal
report TO Carranza regarding the fight
ing around Aguascalientes, Veracruz
2dVices continue TO refer to the occupa-
ton Of the city as an accomplished fact.
Villistas. on the other hand, state that
rail and wire communication with
Aguascalientes is still open and that
the Carrancistas have twice been re-
pulsed in attacks a short distance south
OF the city. Even this statement, how
ever, is an admission that Gen. Obre-
Eon has scored a considerable advance
from Lagos de Moreno, where Villa
established his base following the loss
Of Leon.
Americans In DANCER.
Nail advices from Tampico state that
Americans located in the oil fields west
OF the city are in a precariOUs cOndi-
ton The railroad TO the west is held
by Villistas but has been cut near San
Luis POtOsi, thus preventing the send
ing Of supplies to that city SUPPLIES
cannot be brought through the lines
from Tampico and even the oil vessels
plying on the PanucO river are being
fired upon The letter states that there
are about 200 Americans in the district
west Of Tampico.
Denial is made by Juan <4nador. sub
secretary OF gObernacfon. OF the re-
ported execution at Eeracruz Of Ramon
Fraustro, who WIS one Of the three
commissioners that conducted the Ben
ton investigation 1t was stated by
ViIIistas that FraustrO had been eX-
ecuted for being in communication with
Zapata officials. AmadOr, who recent
" returned from VeracruE states that
Fraustro is attached TO the staff Of
Cen EaDlO lTOuLaIeS anu Is now Win
that leader near Mexico City.
Mexico City EncfreIed.
The Carranza forces have practically
drawn a ring about Mexico City, &C
cordfng to CarranZa adTices. All Of the
fu1uortaur towns in the federal district
have been taken and the Zapatistas are
10 be given chance to evacuate rather
than subject the city to a bombardment.
Gen. Pablo Gonzales, commander OF the
Carranza forces, is reported to have
2 very large artillery equipment, a
number Of the big guns captured by
OhreEon from Villa at Celaya, Irapuato,
SIIao and Leon having been repaired
at Veracruz and sent 10 Gonzales He
is also receiving considerable nun
5ers Of recruits from the drill camps at
FeracruZ-
West Coast Campaign.
With the purchase OF two ships at