Arizona republican., 1915-11-03
Keeps Up Artillery Fire Until Before Dark-Am- intuition and Reinforce ments from the East Arc Reported Advancing.
PROVISIONS REACH
 VILLA FORCES
After Having Made Every
 Effort to Provide Food and Water for Half Starved Troops, Com mander Finally Succeeds.
Republican A. p. Leased WireJ


 DOUGLAS, Nov. 2.-With salvos of artillery beginning at 5:17 this even- ing, Villa apparently began prepara ing tonight for his fifth and perhaps last assault on the Carranza strong hold of Agua Prieta
 Three hours before Major General Funston, who arrived and assumed command in Douglas today, removed the American troops from their trenches on the international boun- diary. This move, coupled with re- ports that Villa intended sheIline Douglas. and that General Funston was preparing to interfere in Mex ico, caused widespread apprehension.
 Many womn. whose homes were shattered with bullets during the terrific firing around Agua Prieta last night left the city.
 It was stated, however. that no move was contemplated against the fighting Mexican factions unless either were guilty of an over attempt 60 endanger American lives and property
 d the United States army border line. was himself endangered during the day by stray Mexican bullets.
 General Funston earlier in the day ordered all civilians kept out of zone within range of the boundary.
 Infantry battalions were shifted to strengthen the United States army position facing the Mexican battle field. Four troops of cavalry ordered from NacO, Arizona. arrived this even ing. Three other troops of the thirteenth cavalry have been ordered from Columbus. N NJ, to further re- inforce the American mounted troops.
 Bullets from the Carranza and Villa, lines kicked up dust close to Major General Funston and Brig. General Thomas F. Davis. as they strolled through the danger zone in which two American soldiers were wounded today.
 With reference to possible inter vention in the Agua Prieta battle, it was pointed out that an attack on either Mexican faction probably would mean fighting both, with a large change that the combined artillery across the border would seriously damage Douglas. Houses on the eX- posed mesa, faclnS the boundary ines were cleared of their occupants.
 Villa kept up his artillery fire for a brief period. before dark and then ceased. The damage to Agua Prieta seemed to observers, on the American side to be confined to two half shat tered Windmills, a few obliterated adobe houses in which a number of women and children camp, followers. were killed and torn places in the wire entangiements where Villas Yaqui's at tempted to storm the town last night.
 Ammunition and endorsements from the east for the Villa army. which were looked for shortly after noon, were reported coming through Gallar- do Pass late today.
 General Villa made every effort to provide provisions and water for his thirsty and half starved men. This afternoon apparently he had succeeded. The water supply at Gallardo ranch. destroyed two weeks ago by General Gales men were restored. and a large supply of flour from some mysterious source reached his lines.
 It seemed proba bly,, therefore. as the evening wore on, that Villa decided to wait until tomorrow before renewing his attack on Agua rieta, meantime provisions to his men.