The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-10-30
IS SET
FOR FIGHT Of
THE NEX|CANS
Carranza and Villa to Meet
In Perhaps Last Big
Battle.
AMERICAN TROOPS
ARE ON TEXAS SIDE
Car'ranza Garrison Is Small
One, While Villa Has a
Large Force.
AMERICAN TROOPS
ARE ON TEXAS SIDE
BIT ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Douglas, Ariz., Oct. 29.-Prepara-
tions were completed today for the
third battle at Aqua Prieta, Sonora,
between various factions, since Ma
dero opened the war in Mexico five
years ago.
Five thousand troops with sixteen
3-inch guns are modified here to
see that the Mexicans shoot only ON
their own side of the boundary. Car
rama troops lie behind an elaborate
system of earthworks awaiting the
approach of the Villa army.
Fighting may begin today or may
be delayed until some time next week
That is dependent upon the plans,
disposition and condition of Villas
troops, but the outcome probably will
determine whether Sonora shall come
under the sway of Villa or whether
he will be driven as fugitive across
the American border.
Hostilities, however, seemed likely
to begin quickly, for at last reports,
Villas forces were scattered from
fifteen to twenty-five miles south of
Aqua Prieta, in region where little
water is available, while Carranza's
forces under General Diguez were re-
ported to be working in behind them.
CARRANZA GARRISON SMALL
Carranza garrison at Aqua Prieta
numbers hardly more than 3,7o0 effec-
tive men and the achievements that
General Gales expected to come
from Piedras Negras over the Ameri-
can territory with sixteen cannon and
twenty-four machine guns, cannot
reach here for two or three days.
This was the word brought by
General Benjamin Hill, Of Carranza's
army, who made it known that he
does not intend to join the Carranza
forces, but that he will become one of
the interested non-combatants on the
American side.
Whether Villa is in Sonora leading
in person the army of invasion was
not definitely known here, but his
fate was generally believed to hinge
on the imminent battle.
If he wins he probably will remain
more or less important factor in
the Mexican situation-at least in
Sonora. If he loses, many Americans
and Mexicans predict he viii find the
nearby boundary convenient exit
from Mexican affairs. There is some
apprehension among the residents
here on account of experiences dur
| ing previous battles at Aqua Prieta,
when stray bullets from the Mexican
side killed five persons on Douglas
street and wounded twenty others.
Although undoubtedly outnumbered
and probably outmatched in artillery
General P. Elias Gales, in command
of Aqua Prieta regards his position
as impregnable. The town lies on an
eminence, the easiest point of attack
being to the eastward Here Car
rama engineers have devoted most
attention to Notifications.
Villa is reliably reported to have
itwenty-eight field guns, some as large
| % 3-AkSu HtCSCo3 I1lOuSA Nu6S6 dT6
believed to be hardly more than 81
mated at from 5000 to 10000 men
mated at from 600 to 1900 men
The Carranza equipment without the
sixteen cannon accompanying the de
layed Piedras Negras contingent, con
sists of six three-inch American
made guns and thirty machine guns
On the American side, counting tn,
battalions of the Seventh and tn,
twenty United States infantry regi
ments which arrived last night Their
are approximately FIVE thousan,
United States soldiers with four bat
teries of artillery of is guns. Tw,
batteries arrived early today from
/, Nogales and approximately 100
more men viii arrive from Fort Bis
!, tomorrow or Sunday.