Arizona republican., 1915-11-01
Declares Will Fight U. $. Border Army if Neces- sary After Learning Car ranza Moving Troops Through Our Territory HAS 10000 MEN:
 CLAIMS OVER 18,000 Battle Coming Quickly, as Thousands of His Men Are Miles from Water and Supply of Provisions is Said to Be Scant
Republican A. p. Leased wire1

lhcpuDilSdH A. r. GCdSeO wire DOUGLAS, Oct. 31-General Fran cisco Villa began moving his troops into position tonight for an attack upon Agua Prieta, Sonora. opposite here. re- gardless. he personally declared, of any consequences or effort from the United States.
 If necessary I will fight the United
 States army assembled along the bOr-
 der he declared, after hearing this af-
 ternoOn for the first time that the
 American government had given per-
 mission for Carranza to transport
 troops from Laredo and Eagle Pass
 Texas. to reinforce the garrison at Agua Prieta.
 Four of these troop trains arrived to-
 night bringing the total fighting men of the garrison. commanded by General p. Elias Gales to approximately coco men.
 Villa, according to reliable estimates. has 10000 soldiers. He claims to have 1S.000 men. The battle may begin at any mOment-perhaps tonight or prob ably tomorrow.
 That it will be quickly as possible. is the general opinion here based on the condition Of his men. thousands of whom were thirsty tonight in positions miles from water and all with scant supplies of food. according to Villas own testimony and reports of three Mexican ranchers who arrived across the border tonight stripped of every think they possessed.
 The border line was closed tonight. but arrangements were made by United States immigratio authorities to ad- init less destitute refugees from Agua Prieta, whose number was augmented tonight by women and children camp followers with the Carranza contingent arriving over American territory from Laredo
 Villas troops appeared within five miles of Agua Prieta shortly after Q clock this afternoon. Fifteen hun dred cavalry advanced from the Slaughter ranch. IS miles east of here along the border.
 Three thousand other troops. noun ted and afoct. and driving pack anl- mals apparently loaded with machine guns or mounted cannon, were tonight at point four miles east of Douglas and about the same distance south of the International boundary
 Camp fires were visible tonight both from Douglas and from the east trench es Of the Gales stronghold. which were filled with riflemen, machine gun ope- rators and gunners manning field pieces.
 The main force of Villas army were still at the Gallardo ranch. F miles cast this afternoon, but it was expected that Villa following his favorfte tactics. would move them into position tonight.
 Villa himself was with his cavalry. forming a flank guard, which passed along the border today It was during this march that he learned that Carranza endorsements had been transported over American ter ritory, and launched verbal at tack on the United States. which ne declared would turn into a physical attack if necessary.
 "Agua Prieta will be mine he asserted, Americans or no hmeri- cans"
 Villa was almost in sight of the Mexican town at the time Pointing his finger toward it, he added:
 There is food and rest for our men. We may have to fight the whole American army if necessary. but no matter, it will be ours"
 "When?" he was asked. T know was the reply.
 Suddenly Villa asked again if ic were true that the United States government had permitted General 1arranza to transport endorsements over American territory. Then. he said:
 This is the way the United States repays me for the treatment and I have given foreigners in Mexico. Hereafter I don't give a damn what happens to foreigners n MeXico-or in my territory.
 "I am through with the United States. I can fight my battles. Let -henl fight theirs.
 T can whip Carranza and his en- tire army, but it is asking great 1eal to whip the United States, also; but 1 suppose I can do that too.
 Villa asserted that his entire plan of campaign had been mapped out. At that time the general was with l small bodyguard. three miles east If Niggerhead, a black butte just below the border, and almost within