Omaha daily bee., 1915-11-04

ICOnUnueQ from rage One.1
Continued on Page Four, Column One.1
and sent two or three dozen shrapnel
shells screaming toward the southwest.
where heavy bodies of Villa soldiers still
are encamped.
villa Men Eat Raw Corn.
The desperate need Of the Villa army
for provisions was told by a deserter
taken by Americans.
For fifteen days this is all that many
of us have had to eat" he said. He dug
into the pockets in his dirty khaki coat
and pulled out a handful of raw corn
and wheat. Two or three Villa officers
who came to the Slaughter house on the
international line a short distance east
of Douglas yesterday to fill their can
teens with water were knawing at pieces
of black, dried beef. A large supply OF
flour and corn is available for the villa
forces at Naco, Sonora. Some o. this
supply of provisions reached him last
night, but not enough for all of his men
now surrounding Aqua Prieta. Until this
supply reaches him and his men have
recuperated 1t is believed by American
army officers that no attempt will be
made to capture Aqua Prieta.
Spectators Allowed Closer to Line.
This was shown this morning when
orders issued yesterday by General
Funston to keep spectators back nearly
half a mile from the International line
were modified. They do not doubt that
Villa, however. the moment his army Is
thoroughly provisioned and rested, Will
hurl II upon Aqua Prieta. This may be
tomorrow or it may be several days later.
American refugees ordered from the
zone within a mile OF the boundary yes
terday crowded the homes north OF Firth
street In this city today. Nobody was
allowed to occupy their houses within
the zone on account of the danger from
Mexican fire.
Three troops Of the Thirteenth cavalry
left Columbus, N. M, for Douglas today
Americans May Cross Border.
WASHINGTON, Nov. S.-President Will
son and Secretary Garrison are consider
ing whether to authorize Major General
Funston to cross the Mexican border II
he finds it necessary to do so to save
Douglas from the Mexican gunfire.
Secretary Garrison today refused to
confirm or deny that General Funston
had asked for such authority and the
White House was also silent. 1t was made
clear at the War department that the
American commander has already au-
thority to return any fire from across
the border.
The latest report from General Funston
said there was an unconfirmed report
that the villa forces were withdrawing
toward Nogales from the attack of Aqua
Prieta. The message was sent late last
night General Funston already has au-
thority to dispose his troops as he deems
best To protect American lives and prop
erty without reference TO the War de-
partment Should II ne decided to permit
him to cross the border, however, 1t will
rest with President Wilson whether any
change in orders will be made public.
Pursue Fleeing ViIIistas,
DOUGLAS, Ariz., Nov. 3-Major Louis
Block of General Cables staff an
nouneed today that 1000 cavalry with
ten machine guns and some mountain
guns would be sent at once to harass
villa columns moving southwest. The
cavalry, Block said, would be followed
by 1000 infantry.
Brigadier General James Parker ar
rived today from San Antonio, Tex. to
assume command of the cavalry sta
toned here.
villa soldiers who came to the border
pleading for food and water. said Gen