Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-01

Douglas, AriE., Nov. with the OPP
ening Of the battle between Carranzis-
tas and Villistas for possession of
Aqua Prieta at l:30 this afternoon Il
shell exploded in front of the home of
Mrs. Alice 0'Loughlin, an American,
100 yards from the trenches. Nobody
was hurt,
The battle was started when the Car.
ranzistas opened fire on the Villa ad-
vance guard. A Villa battery Of four
inch guns was dragged to an advantag.
eous position 200 yards south Of the
international boundary and returned
the fire, sending stream Of shropnel
shells into Aqua Prieta.
Villas artillery fire was most effec-
tive. Destruction in the city Of Aguas
Prieta was visible from the American
side. At the same time the Carranza
fire was apparently high and Villa cosu-
alties few.
Under cover of the artillery fire, a
company of Villstas advanced to with.
in few yards of the Carranza
trenches.
Americans Watch Battle.
"'We1l be in the city in two hours, "
their leader yelled TO the American sol
diers on the border within stone 3
throw. His men lay flat on the ground,
waiting for an opportune moment, while
the Carranzistas potted away at them
briskly from the shelters.
Before the fight had been In progress
five minutes half dozen shells burst
within so yards Of the United States
customs house, rafting the windows and
sending knot of spectators gathered
there running helter skelter for cover
Following closely behind the infantry
advance guard several squadrons OF
cavalry, led by General Francisco Wilt
himself. Other dense masses Of infantry
were seen behind the cavalry
The excitement IN Douglas was in
tense. General Davis has ordered peo
pie to keep off the streets and rmair
indoors during the battle. Despite thi
Americans crowded roofs and vantage
points.
Villa pressed tho attack from th,
east. After his infantry had advanced
to within very short distance of tn
city II was halted by encounterini
dense barb wire entanglements on thu
southern ana eastern sides Of the town
Bugles sounded orders for the Villista
to withdraw, which they did In goo
order whoreupon general artiller.
duel developed. The uproar was tei
rifle. Shells exploded constantly al
most on American soil, while showers o
bullets from machine guns on both side
i kicked up clouds Of dust between th
opposing armies.
Two and half miles east OF Agu
Prieta villa concentrated several bal
teries OF artillery and directed heav
fire on the barbod wire entnnglement
Meanwhile the cavalry maneuvere
rapidly and constantly before the city
evidently whiting for the entangl'
ments TO be demolished before attcmp'
ing n charge That the fire Of Cal
ranza r. riflemen was poor was very ev
dent M the cavalry made excellen
marks, but appeared to suffer no henv
casualties.
Three villa batteries, which ha
been pushed up 40 close to the Ca
, | ranza trenches that they were with
easy rifle shot, were knocked out {
commission by General Gales fol
, guns, which placed several shells ~
! curately among the rebel cannon.
/ After joining In the din for 10 mil
utes, Villas main machine gun ba
teries we're dragged to a point one an
one-half miles east Of Aqua Priett
, where the gunncrs squattod aroun
them smoking ciragettes cnlmly,