The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-25
NO CONFIRMATION
 OF REPORTED STAND
 OF BANDITS AT FL OSO
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of view between federal and local author ities here. The first insist that while the situation is filled with dangerous pos abilities, there is no reason to fear any immediate crisis. Local authorities are positive there is grave danger of an out break that will set the border ablaze. The federal officials are showing in- creasing irritation over alarming reports circulated here night and day and which are being sent out in news dispatches. They fear the effect these reports will have on the Mexicans who have shown many signs in the last few days of in- creasing restlessness.
 PROTEST AGAINST REPORTS Consul Edwards at Juarez and Ameri- cans resident in the Mexican town tele- graphed the state department today pro- testing against the circulation of these reports and asking that they be stopped. It is, understood similar messages have been sent to Washington from other fed eral officers with a direct recommenda- tion that censorship be established here.
 No news of the reported fighting be- tween Carranza and Villa forces near Namiquipa, or of the report from Mex ican sources that the bandit chief and his followers were surrounded five miles south of Namiauipa by Americans and Mexicans came today.
 According to the Mexican consul here, Andreas Garcia, the Mexican wires have been cut between Casas Grandes and Ma dera. The same reason was given by Consul Garcia for the dearth of news fol- towing the first encounter reported near Namiquipa some days ago.
 Contradictory reports received from Mexican sources and the absence of defi- nlte information from General Pershing have raised new doubts here as to the status of affairs in the district where Villa is supposed to be. The fact that the American field commander made no reference in his report today of any fight ing despite the fact that he announced that American troops were at Fl Valle. only 40 miles from Namiquipa, was re- garded as significant.
 STILL DOUBT HERRERA
 The status of Gen. Luis Herrera was considered as doubtful here today as it has been since the first report of his revolt reached this city. In spite of re- ports from American consuls and em- phatic statements from Carranza gener- als and officials the belief that Herrera either had turned against the de facto government or was on the point of do- ing so was firmly held here
 Americans who arrived from the in terior today gave fresh color to this be- lief by circumstantial stories of Herrera s defectfon and asserted that he was today between Chihuahua and Parral, march, ing toward Torreon with at least POGO troops
 Seven privates, suffering from various ailments, arrived from the front today and were taken to Fort Bliss hospital The most seriously i'll was Private Rob- ertson of the Sixth infantry, who was stricken with paralysis on the march, All told stories of the privarions suf- fered by the Americans in their dash across the Chihuahua desert. They com piained especially of the thirst from which the soldiers suffered constantly. and also of the distress caused by the chilly nights that followed burning days.
 Numbers of the soldiers, they said, were in agony from swollen feet intensified by the sand which sifted. into their shoes and cut the skin. Private Dobell of the Sixth infantry, one of the seven. has been unable to wear shoes for some days on account of the size to which his blis- tered feet have swollen.
 One hundred members of the expedi- tionary force now are at the base hos pital. Thirty-fve are said to be seri- ously i'll.