New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-22

Four troops OF cavalry have departed
from Columbus to join General Perish
ing's force. More auto trucks. painted
A dull gray. have arrived in Columbus,
and daily a caravan Of them leaves with
supplies for the Americans in the field.
It was reported this morning that ten
days' extra rations are now with the
army bases in Mexico, and rumors Of
troops living on half rations were en-
phatically denied.
Reports OF Fight Unconhrmcd.
Reports that fighting had occurred
near Casas Grandes between Villa and
Carranza troops, received to-day Mt
Juarez. could not be confirmed owing
10 wire trouble.
One Of the three American columns
in pursuit Of Villa was believed to-
night 70 be in the vicinity Of Babicors,
some miles from Mstschc and halfway
between MADEIRA and Nsmiqu.pa.
Following hard on the news that the
Mexican telegraph and telephone wires
between Jusrez and Cssss Grandes had
been cut. word came from Columbus to-
night IN a dispatch passed by the cen
sor that both wireless and ground wire
communication with General Pershing
had failed.
The army field wire between Colum-
bus and headquarters OF the expedl-
tionary force was severed in twenty
eight places. il was said The trouble
With the wireless occurred shortly be
fore s o'clock, but its cause ~ unknown
General Gayira, az Juarez, admitted
tonight that he had failed 20 restore
wire communications with Casss
Grandes, and y was practically con
ceded b. thc Mexican officials that the
cutting Of the wires was the result OF a
raid by Villa forces on the railroad.
The extent Of the raid and the damage
was either unknown or suppressed.
Vile tonight is reported again IN
fight, carrying with him the sstisfsc.
ton OF know ing that badly defeated
and sadly mystiGed Carranza soldiers
sre trying 10 figure out 81 Namiquipa
how f. al happened. This information
oriftcd from the country 20 the south
Carranza officials we're silent to-day
concerning the battle AZ Namalquips,
which iast night they had reported be
iny m progress. with Villa surrounded
ard PRACTICALLY crushed. A. the Car
rama Consulate 10 was announced that
the wires were down. They went down
before the battle ~ Namiquips ended.
Consu. Garcia stated that hc had re-
ceived no information from the front
since last night. and that he knows as
lttic about the result Of the engage
incrt between 900 Csrranzistss and
Co'onc. Caro and Villa and his 200
bandits ~ any one else on the border.
lu Jusrcz General Gayira said he
had nothing 20 give out. lie, too, said
that the wires were down. Neither
would ssy the wires had been cut b.
Nillastas, but they would not deny tina:
such = thing probably had occurred 10
interfere With communication.
Villa Believed Victorious.
] Indications tonight point very
strongly 70 the defeat Of Csno's column
/ by Villa and his escape TO the south
/ or west before American troops oouio
get 10 the scene of battle.
There is slso doubt on tho border
' that the Carranzistac at any time hao
an advantage over the bandits. ~ y
weU known that the Mexicans as ru'.
are greatly afraid OF Villa, ana ,ns.
this fear is general among the uoDp
opposed 10 him. Also IL - known ~
many in Carranza's army ar $500
I, .,.r,ra,h,. with villa. and "ould NO
H. .;it;,, % assist the Americans !"
capturing him. ,..,,. .,cc..d.d
IN .r,,;rs through the Csrranra hnss