El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-12-02
AQUA PRIETA IS
AWAITING ATTACK
Rodriguez Moving North;
Villa Strikes West Toward
Lower California.

Douglas. AriZ.. Dec. 2--CarranZa SON
diers and residents of Aqua Prieta, the
Mexican fortified town opposite here.
passed an anxious night in anticipation
of an attack by the forces under Jose
Rodriguez, the Villa commander, which
were said to number approximately
1000 infantry and cavalry.
Throughout the night the small gar
risOn remained under arms and small
out posts patroled the country to the
south. While the latter had not re-
ported any actual contact with the
enemy. there were indications that Gen
ROdriguez's troops were massing be
tween FrOnteras. - miles south and
Aqua Prieta- The belief generally was
expressed that the attack of the Villa
forces on the town would not be long
delayed. ReinfOrcements for the small
garrison were expected early today
A second train with more heavy artil-
Iery and about the same number Of men
was expected to arrive during the
afternoon from Nogales-
No Word From Americans
No news had been received from the
20 Americans who left FL Tigre- The
American owned mining camp in
Sonora. for the border early Wednesday.
travelling on horseback over the noun
tains.
Carranza scouts brought in news Of
wholesale destruction of bridges on the
NacOzari railroad Considerable un-
easiness was felt at Aqua Prieta- con-
corning the fate of Nacozari. as latest
unofficial advices gave the impression
that the military train which first was
reported TO have come as far north as
Cos and then was compelled to retreat,
may have been surrounded and cap
tured- If the report is true it was
thought probable that NacOzari is at
the mercy of Villa troops Chief in
terest here however, centered in the
probable fate of the nine Americans
who were reported still 10 be there.
villa Heading West.
RodOlfO Gardun0. Mexican consul
here. received official advices from
NOgales stating that the Villa forces
had withdrawn from the main line of
the Southern Pacific railroad, leaving II
open as far south as HermosillO- Villa
was reported at the head Of the section
moving west and the message expressed
the belief that he entertained hopes Of
effecting a juncture with Col Esteban
Cantu. independent governor Of Lower
California. who recently conferred with
Carranza representatives and who was
said to be preparing TO ally himself
with the Carranza government
ObregOn Goes to Aqua Prietn.
Gen. ObregOn, convinced, 1t was said.
that an attack would be made upon
the weakened Carranza forces sta
toned at Aqua Prieta, by the superior
Villa forces under Gen Jose Rod
riguez. last reported at Fronteras. p
miles to the south. left NOgales. Son.
by automobile late Wednesday. and
reached here during the night
Americans Reported Captured
Mining men here became much con-
cerned over the reported capture by
Villa soldiers, OF John Cunningham, an
Oklahoma attorney, and G. Hendricks.
H. g. Southern. and Rafael Narela- the
three latter. owners of the La Osa
mine near Churunibabi. Is miles north
Of NacoZari- The Oklahoma attor-
ney came here a week ago to inYestl-
gate Sonora mining properties
The four men were last seen on Mon
day. when they left Fronieras for the
La Osa mine. Mining men here regard
il as practically certain that they tell
into the hands Of soldiers OF Gen
RodrigueZ's command.
Fighting at Cos.
Arrivals from EsQueda reported
heavy lighting all day near Cos a
few miles north Of Nacozari' indlcat-
ing that the military train, bearing
nearly 700 CarranZa soldiers had not .
succeeded in retreating to Nacozari, as
was reported, but probably had been
trapped and forced to battle with q
much larger force Of Villa troops
Prepare to Defend Aqua Prieta-
Confronted with the task Of man
ming the elaborate system OF trenches
desi gned for the defense OF Agu Prlet.i
inst across the line in Mexico. with
what is described as an ADEQUATE force
Of CarranZa troops. Col DatO Camp
bell began late Wednesday dtsposinS
Of his command to meet the threat
ened attack by Villa forces under Gen
Jose Rodriguez. the advarce guard OF
which was reported here to have oc-
cupied Fronteras. % miles directly
south, shortly after noon.
Funston at Douglas
On this side Of the line Nal Gen
Funston. who arrived with his statt
by automobile from Nogales. Ariz-, late
Wednesday devoted himself to the
study Of the military situation in Mex
leo. with reference to its possible ef-
fects upOn the American side
Upon the movements Of Villas elu-
sfve army, under Gen. Rodriguez in
that same district, would depend, he
said the movements OF the Provisional
brigade OF United States troops under
Gen. George Bell, jr-- now at NOgales.
Ariz Whether the United States
troops at Nogales remained there, were
ordered here, or sent back to their
station at FL Paso would depend, he
said. upon happenings OF the next few
days
Reports We're received here Wednes-
day despite n warning by Gen. Obregon
that a number Of employees of the
Cananea Consolidated Copper company
left Naco. Ariz-. today for Cananea,
while few were reported to have made