Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-28
VILLA HAS BEGUN
MATAMORAS SIEGE
United States Warns Beth Sides to
Be Careful of Lives Of
Americans.
FEARS SHELLS FALL OVER LINE

BROWNSVILLE, Tex, March 81.
The Villa siege of Matamoras, the
Mexican town opposite here, began
about noon today, Cavalrymen
opened heavy rifle fire on the
breastworks west of Matamoras, near
the Rio Grande.
simultaneously the cavalry, total
ing $500 men, began spreading to
surround the city on the west and
south. A Villa officer told the AS
sociated Press correspondent that ar
tillery is due to reach the firing line
some time this evening.
Attacks from the west apparently
would not endanger Brownsville, but an
attack from the south, II the guns over
shot. would tend to rake street and side
walk traffic here. as the streets lie in
almost direct line of such fire.
Villa infantry and artillery. said to
number 5000 men, reported to be ,advanc-
ing to support the cavalry. are apparently
still beyond a zone Of fifty miles outside
Matamoras.
Owing to grave apprehension that
shrapnel shells will fall in Brownsville
in the battle expected at Matamoras, op-
posite here, Colonel A. p. Blocksom, COM
canding the United States lower border
cavalry patrol here. today sent word 10
both forces to avoid firing In any manner
to endanger American lives and prop
erty.
Matamoras. which is about a mile and
half from Brownsville, apparently was
ready today for siege by the approaching
army of General villa, whose advance
guard was within cannon shot OF the
icity's outer defenses.
These defenses include a line of earth
breastworks twelve to fifteen feet high.
enclosing the city on the two sides, west
and south, while the Rio Grande curves
around the other two sides.
Villas troops are approaching from the
west, and apparanetly the hardest at
tack is expected from that quarter. The
reported disposition OF the approaching
/ Villa army was believed to indicate that
serious fighting would not begin for a
day OF two.
Twine Begins 10 Msve.
WASHINGTON, March H.-MovemeRi
OF the sisal crop from Yucatan on United
States naval vessels has begun. Pear
admiral CapertOn. commander Of the
cruiser squadron at Vera Cruz. notified
I the Navy department today that the co.
Her Jupiter sailed Thursday from Pro
groso for New Orleans with sisal cargo
3 Rear Admiral CapeTtOn's report said
fighting continued between Carranza and
villa forces az Ebano. outside Tamp4co
and that some oil tanks in that vicinity
had been damaged.
customs house and national Documents
al MstamoTas. A-x. have been sent q
Brownsville. Tex. IN anticipation Of ths
battle between Carranza and villa fcGces
Transportation OF sisal FIBER by United
states vessels where necessary IN order
q. relieve the situation confronting ths
|tNine makers and the farmers. viii 20 OF
under provision % the order u Marct
- and that win permit trAnsportatioT
of Ioo0o bales. which the Internationa
Harvester company has undertaken q
distribute am1nE other manufacturer.
Ofnriai dispatches sayl ig an Interview v
with the brazilian minister. Rogue Coo
tales garna. head % the govsFuuiant o.
McHic1 city. pFumised pFompi payment
of che Indemnity fog uls knlnE % leht
ih. McManls. au Amer.cau. - ZapalI
Esops