The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-22
Funston Gives Out Confidential
Report on Bandit.
WOUNDED BY OWN SOLDIER
He Was Shot in Leg at Guer-
zero Engagement.
Northern Mexico Again Likely
to Fall Into His Hands.
BY JOSEPH TIMMONs.

San Antonio, Texas, July 22.-With
detailed description from conf
Dental source, of Villas operations
around Jiminez in his possession, Gen
eral Funston said ne would not be sur
prised to hear officially that Villa had
captured TOrieon or had at least
gained control of the railroad radiat-
ing from that city.
From another source, also regarded
by him as absolutely authentic. Fun
ston has at last the full story of Villas
wound. Villa was shot in the right
leg below the knee at Guerrero, dur
ing the bandit attack on that town, by
one of the MeXicaTS whom he had
impressed into his service at Ell Valle
in his flight from Columbus.
Another important contribution to
Funstons Information concerning
Villa came in a report by General
Pershing. The commander of the punt
tive expedition learned definitely that
Villa was moving on Torreon with
1900 men, flushed by successes at
Jiminez, Carralitos and Parral.
Again Strong Factor.
The sum of these official reports is
a demonstration that Villa has again
become a figure to reckon with. 1t
becomes now fairly probable that
while peace agents are proceeding to-
wards a paper solution of the inter-
national troubles, Villa will be wrest-
ing the control of northern Mexico
from Carranza and Obregon.
Here is General Funston's new ac-
count of the wounding of the bandit
chief. At Ell Paso, Villa, on his flight
before Dodds flying column, forced
twenty-five men and boys to join his
command. When he got over on the
Continental divide to the southwest of
Namiquipa, he attacked the Carranza
garrison at Guerrero. AS is his Gus
tom. he waited outside and when the
9 int 1cl1 cd
forward this time afoot, to encourage
mis- men and direct the slaughter .
part of the Ell Vale contingent was
in the rear and one of these men shot
him from behind The bullet from a
Remington rifle struck his right calf
and lodged against the bone BY
clever alibi, the Ell Vale men lied out
of responsibility for the act and Villa
became convinced he had been hit
by sniper.
Same Old Dare Devil.
When Villa rode into Jiminez in
coach July 5, the day after the cap
ture of the town by his men, his leg
was still NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. heavily.
He limped still and used a crutch. He
wore a scraggly beard and was bag
gard, but with all, he was the same
dare devil he was before.
Pershing reports that when Villa
attacked the Carranzistas at Cor
ra1itos, near Jiminez, June 80, he IN,
d
wounded.
From his other source, General Fun
ston learned that Villa was not with
his command when it attacked Cen
eral Ramos's force, just below JIM
inez, July 8, and signally defeated it,
The next day this part of Villas COM
mand advanced on Jiminez. Most of
the Carranzistas escaped, but rev
of them were captured and slaughter
ed Some of the citizens, known to be
Carranzistas, were slain ana the ears
of others were cut off. The town was
looted and the bandits even took the
clothing off men in the streets.
July 5, Villa came into the city, his
united force numbering more than
thousand men. Villa made violent
speech on the plaza, promising to visit
his wrath upon all Carranzistas and to
drive the '.gringoes'' out of Mexico |
The looting continued until the It'll, |
when Villa evacuated the city and |
started for the Rio Florido region, |
from whence he promised to attack |
and sack Parral.
Has Old Confidence.
General Funston has no definite in
formation that Villa took more than |
the outskirts of Parral, in the attack |
of July IA.
With an augmented force, number |
ing 1900 well fed and well equipped |
men, with something of the conf |
dance of the old days in the invlnci- |
bility of Villas genius restored. the |
bandit chief moved on to Torreon |
some days ago. Pershing's unqual- 1
fled report to that effect was made |
Friday. His information, of necessity, |
was some days old and does not affect /
the accuracy of the reports arriving |
at border points from Mexican sources |
that Villa has actually captured the |
spoke of the Northern railroad sys- |
TEN, the most important stragetic |
point of the Mexican states !
General Funston points out that if
Villa is in possession of the railroad
entering Torreon, he dominates the
almost as thoroughly as if he
held the city itself. If he has cut
communication and can prevent re-
Inducements reaching Torreon ne
probably will capture the city. Build-
ing on Villista sentiment there his
strength is likely to be augmented to
the point that General Trevino will
find him hard to dislodge.
Villa Menace Unconfirmed.
Washington, July %. - Reports
reaching General Pershing and various
border points that Villa has assem-
bled a formidable force and Is pre-
pairing to renew his war on -he de
facto government had no confirE1a ton
today from reliable sources. 1t was
made plain that the capture and pun
ishment of Villa is desired, and CO.
operation of American troops TO that
end will be cheerfully extended, If the
de facto government SO desired.
SCHMIDT PLAYS GRANT