Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-11-04
GEN. VILLA SILENT
ABOUT NEXT MOVE
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les artillery was fairy good and the
conduct of Villas troops under rather
severe she'll fire was excellent. 1t may
not be understood at the War Depart
| ment why, in view of existing orders,
| have not fired upon the contending
parties, considering the fact that some
bullets and shells struck on the Amer
| lean side and three men of the 9TH In
fantry were wounded. This was not
| done because of the evident fact that
both commanders were doing all they
could to prevent injury to Americans.
Sought to Be Fair.
1.-THE principal faults were committed
by Gales men, and 1 could not in
fairness have opened fire on Villa with
out treating Gales the same. For ex-
ample: Yesterday, while Maj. Hay and
other officers were 200 yards from
east flank of Gales trenches they
| were deliberately fred upon from
| them and nearly hit Also, yesterday
| a detachment of 9Th Cavalry 1900
yards in front of west flank of Gales
trenches and at least 200 yards north
| of the boundary was fired upon there
! first by machine guns and then six
times by artillery.
| Further, this afternoon, custom in
spector at the same point, was fired upon.
| Representations have been made to Gales
and he has expressed regret and given
| necessary assurances.
Villa Has $4,000 Men.
THE whereabouts of Villa and his main
force is tonight unknown There are per-
sistent rumors that he is at Cabullona
eighteen mites south Of here. where there
is ample water. recuperating his men in
To af1yr, tn at acl hut do
tachment of his forces. with some wagons
has reached ;Naco, and is purchasing food
| VIII lie an officer patrolling east from Mace
reports seeing a camp of about 900
across the boundary from Osborne.
The villa force consists of about 49,
| 600 men. thirty-six guns and an I'M
| known number of machine guns. His
men suffered terribly during operations
! here from thirst and hunger, but their
| spirit is shown by the fact that less
| than a dozen deserted to our side. All
| women, children and camp followers
| usually to be found with a Mexican
force were left at Casas Grande, and
| he has with him nothing but fighting
men,"
Carranza to Probe Border Situation.
| Gen. Carranza intends to make a per-
sonal investigation Of the border situa-
ton. This information was conveyed
by him to John w. Belt, representative
of the State Department, with Gen.
Carranza. In statement made public
by the department 1t is said the depart
ment Is informed that experienced and
| reliable Mexican troops will be sta
toned on the Mexican side of the Dor
der and that the Mexican secret service
will be utilized in cooperation with
| the military authorities of the de facto
government in locating and furnishing
| offenders.
The retreat of Villa troops from Aqua
| Prieta has temporarily disposed of the
question of whether United States
| troops should be authorized to cross
| the border in protecting American lives
and property. 1t was said at the State
Department that no action had been
taken on a suggestion from Gen. Fun
| ston that such a step might be neces-
sary. 1t was pointed out that if at any
| time 1t is desired to send troops across
| the line permission would first be asked
| of the de facto government and that
there is ample precedent for this.
American and Mexican troops operated
| on both sides of the line many years
| ago when lawlessness on the Texas line
was at its height.