South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-20
VILLA, DEFEATED
BY OBRE CON MEN,
IS NOW ON RUN
Remnants of Shattered Forces
BeSted in Battle at CeIaya
Reach AguaS CaIienteS. Pre-
pare for Last Stand.

Ell PASO, Texas, April 2O-Gen.
Francisco Villa, chief
Of the conventionist army Of 5000,
was crushingly defeated in the battle
OF Celaya and the remnants Of his
shattered forces reached Aguas Cali
entes Monday
In close pursuit Of the northern
leader is Gen. Alvaro Obregon, the
Carranzistas commander. In Gen. OBJ
regions army are more than 10000
trained troops. Gen. Villas forces
have halted at Aguas Calientes TO
prepare defenses for a last stand
against the nOrthward march Of the
Carrauz1sta troops.
Abundant confirmation Of Gen.
Villas signal defeat has been received
in this city of not only the Carranzista
agency. but the Villa representatives
on the border as we'll.
From details of the battle which
have reached here indications ara
that the star Of the northern leader
has set, and that for all he can do TO
prevent il the Carranzista faction will
predominant in Mexico. for the time
being at least.
Will Renew Attack.
Villa himself reached Aguas Cali
entes, 200 miles east Of Celaya Mon
day morning. 1t appears from claims
made by Villa that he would again
attack Obregon as soon as reinforce
ments arrived, that he was either dis
appointed in not receiving this fresh
Import, or that the victory of Obre-
gOn was so overwhelming that Villa
with all his qualities of leadership
could not again rally his stricken ar
my TO the attack
Five thousand fresh troops more
over arrived at Celaya last Sunday
from Vera Cruz by way of Pachuca TO
reinforce ObregOn.
Reports received here state that
Villa, unaware that his opponent had
been strengthened. ordered a general
attack on the fortified city and threw
practically his whole force into the
onslaught. The struggle that ensued,
according to these reports, resembled
a massacre more than a battle and
Villas men were hurled back with
heavy losses. estimated at no less than
5000 men. They were forced to re-
tire TO a point 3 miles north of Ce-
laya, where Villa reOrganiZed his bril-
gades, secured fresh supplies of am
munition and began another offensive
movement
Launch Second Attack.
The second attack was launched
last Monday morning. 1t was even
more unfortunate than the first.
Flushed with victory. Obregon's
troops met the attackers outside their
protected positions and dealt them a
more crushing blow than the one
administered on Saturday.
Villa, himself, according to unoffi-
cial reports, barely escaped with his
life. What portion of his army he
saved is not known, but the indica7
tons are that he lost fully 10000
men in the last week OF fighting, or
so per cent Of his effective fighting
force.
With his own hand Gen. Villa shot
down several of his officers who were
fleeing with their panic-striCken cons
mands. No personal eXertiOn on his
part could halt the retreat of his fear
crazed army, and for the first time in
his career as a successful leader of
armies. the northern chief tasted tho
bitter cup of defeat.
Placed Under Arrest.
kilograms from Villa at AguaS Gals
ientes to Juarez military officials said
that Villa had placed his artillery
commander, Gen. Felipe Angeles, un1
der arrest for INSTRUMENTATION.
Angeles drew up a plan of attack
against Celaya which l refused TO fol-
low" the message reads, and when
Obregon with his strong position and
superior numbers struck terror into
the hearts OF my men. Angeles in a,
rage entered my car and said that if
1 had follwed his advice a different
tale would have been told. l had him
locked up for INSTRUMENTATION"
The only telegram sent by Gen.
Villa to FL PasO reads:
Il have Withdrawn my men from
Celaya until l can get different set
of officers find that several
changes are necessary because in re-
cent attacks upon ObregOn's troops
several of my officers whom 1 have
hitherto regarded as brave, showed
the white feather in a most shameful
manner. As soon as these absolutely
necessary changes are made, l will
lead my army against the enemy"
nRNE INITIATES rOIID