Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-22

their home and shot, and IS OF
party of Carranzista soldiers were
killed in a raid Sept. Is on an
Aquila oil camp near TuXpam by
bandits calling themselves Willis
taS. according to a report brought
here today by the steamer TOpila
from TampicO.
The CarranZistas put up hard
fight, it was said, but were outnum-
bered and overpowered. Two of the
Carranza officers took refuge in the
house of the Englishmen. They were
discovered and put to death and the
Englishmen were killed for having
given them shelter, the report adds.
Doubts Chihuahua Report.
Washington, Sept. 22.-Secretary
Baker let it be known today that the
war department was not disposed to
accept as accurate the report Of Vii
las raid on chihuahua City last Sat
urdav transmitted by Brigadier Gen
eral Bell yesterday on the strength OF
information that had reached him in
FL Paso.
We have no military information
as to renewed Eillista activities Mr..
Baker said, indicating that it was as-l
sumed that General Bells account was
based upon rumors and reports cur
rent in border towns, and not facts
obtained through army channels in
Mexico. He declined to discuss in
any way what effect the temperance
of Villa, if it were confirmed, might
have on the movements Of American
troops in Mexico.
So far as is known the war depart
ment has made no effort to learn from
General Bell the sources of his infOr
nation. General Funston is expect |
ed to transmit promptly without add
tional instructions any authentic news
of the activities Of the bandits upon
which any change in plan involving
General Pershings expedition might
he founded.
"TissEe of Lies Says Trevino.
Chihuahua City Mex, Sept. 22.-t
Commenting on the reports in Ameri- ,
can newspapers attributed to General |
George Bell, Jr., at FL PasO of the /
Villa raid upon this city last Satur- /
day, General JacintO Trevino, COM |
handing the Carranza army of the
north. today issued a statement to the
Associated Press in which he described
it as "a tissue Of lies and falsehoods."
Il am at a loss to know where Cen
eral Bell obtained such bad informa-
ton" said General TrevinO. The Viii /
IistaS carried absolutely nothing away
with them except some of the prison |
ers from the penitentiary, many of
whom have since returned here. They
captured neither ammunition, cannon,
nor anything else.
Our artillery drove the Nillistas out
of the palaces. which they had taken, /
and pursued them in their hasty re-
treat with shell, leaving them no time
to carry anything away as they left
galloping in small groups through the
narrow streets of the town
General TreYinO asserted that every
unit of his force was coordinated, and
all agreed that Villas band did not
number more than 500; that there were
no OBJECTIONS from the garrison and
that all of the automobiles in the city
are accounted for, none being carried
away by the outlaws.
Government artillery fire was only
ceased, he said, when the bandits had
been repuIsed and there seemed danger
of hitting the pursuing forces under
Generals Ramos and Merriero.
FL Paso, Tex. Sept. 22.-Brigadier
General George Bell, Jr., commanding
the FL Paso military district, said to-
day that his information concerning
Villas HidalgO day attack upon Chi
eral most reliable sources"
General Bell refused to comment on
General Trevinos statement character
izing General Bells report as false.
New York, Sept. 22.-In a tele-
gram today to Juan T. Burns, Mexi-
can consul general in New York Gen
eral Trevino. after reiteratiug his
statements that his forces defeated the
villa invaders at Chihuahua City,
says:
This foolish shedding OF blood was
with the intention OF creating diff Gull
ties for the conferees of the commits
sion at New London at the maChina-
tions OF American and Mexican polit-
icaI interests. They themselves are
now satisfied that they have failed"
Funston Believes Story.
San Antonio, Sept. 22.-General
Funston today said he placed full
credence in the report of Villas at
tack on Chihuahua City, sent TO the
war department by Brigadier General
George Bell. Jr., and given out for
publication yesterday. He said that he