Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-04
CHASE OF PEON BRIGAND
NOW ON BROADER PHASE
Whereabouts Of Bandit Apparently
Unknown to American Forces
Securing Northern Chihuahua.
OUTLAW MOVING SOUTHWARK
Trail Well Covered for Time Being,
and Army Finds It Necessary to
Extend at Once Its Course
of Operations.

TORREON. Mexico, April A.
Gen. Canuto Reyes, commanding
the Villa forces in this locality.
has sent a letter to Gen. Trevino.
Carranza commander, offering to
surrender with all his forces if
given amnesty. This information
was given out today by Gen. Ire
vino.
Carranza authorities here say
that the surrender of Reyes would
break organized resistance to the
de facto government and end the
hopes of Villa. There is a dis
position, however, to accept his
offer conservatively, as it was de-
clared that six weeks will be
necessary for Gen. Reyes to noti-
fy all his followers, and there is
possibility that this may be
ruse to gain time for Villa.
With Francisco Villa still in fight
and his whereabouts apparently un-
known to his pYrsuers. the campaign
of the American forces, now securing
northern Chihuahua for the bandit en-
tOdAv a
Now troops have been ordered into
Mexico from the military base at Co
1umbus. N. NJ, to protect the lengthen-
ing line of communications.
Army men here believe that as Villa
moves southwark, with his trail well
covered for the time at least. 1t will
be necessary to establish new army
bases and guard strongly the line of
communications. Large reinforcements
of American troops will be needed. the
military authorities say.
Meanwhile the use by the American
army of the Mexico Northwestern rail-
way for the transportation of supplies
becomes more Important.
Believed Heading for Torreon.
There is little question any longer on
the border that Villa is heading for
Torreon. in the neighborhood of which
city he will find Canuto Reyes, one of
his most trusted lieutenants. Reyes
has successfully defied the Carranza
forces for several months. He has raw
aged North Durango and is believed to
have several hundred men in his COM
mand, with many smaller guerrilla
bodies operating in conjunction with
him. If Villa can effect junction with
Reyes sufficiently in advance of his
pursuers to attempt concentration of
the bandits. it is said that he can
muster 1000 men at least.
Both Mexicans and Americans who
know Villa personally have little doubt as
to the tactics he is trying to pursue. They
say that the fguitive bandit is not
alarmed over any opposition he may meet
from his countrymen, but that he is de-
voting all his energies to planning the dis
comfiture of the American forces, whom
he fears almost much as he hates Ac-
cording to these observers Villa is anxious
to push as far south as possible, with the
purpose of stretching out the already thin
to the breaking point. With the compare
lively few men under command of Cen
Pershing line of communicat ton 400 or
500 miles long becomes a serious problem
500 Miles South Of Border.
Torreon is 500 miles from Columbus as
the crow flies. but a far greater distance
by the winding trails that are the only
roads across northern Chihuahua
The free use of the Mexican railroads
for the transportation of both men and
supplies would. of course. upset Villas
and immensely simplify
Gen. Pershing's problems. Army Of
ficers here make no secret OF their be-
lief that some arrangements with the
de facto government for the use of
will become imperative IL IL
proves true that Villa has outdistanced
his pursuers in his flight south
y. hull or how
the life of single soldier in the
American expeditionary forces and
have wounded only four. the Mexican
climate has been more inconsiderate.
Sick Troopers Brought Back.
In the neighborhood of $50 sick
American troopers have been brought
back from the front, suffering from
ills due to the climatic condi-
lions of the Sierra Madres. Eighteen
arrived yesterday. To date two have
4 private. Jesse P. Taylor, both of the:
18th Cavalry.
The base hospital at Fort Bliss in nor
NAL times provides ample facilities for
expedition in Mexico began its resources
have been overstrained. An entire bar
IA cks next door has been transformed into
a hospital. There is an overflow in the
isolation hospital and three additional
pavilions are crowded.
Soldiers who are unable to bear the
strain Of mountain campaigning. who suf-
Ter from fever and dysentery. are brought
pack from the front in motor trucks to
Columbus and sent to Ell Paso by train.
Until recently they were taken from the
Il al ton here to Fort Bliss in trucks Re-
GENTLY, however, ambulances have been
provided Most Of the men grow better
rapidly after their return.
Villa Far Ahead of Pursuers.
SAN ANTONIO. Tex. April 4.-om-
.ial admission of the belief that Fran
.isco Villa has fed far beyond the
American forces and now Is operating
south of chihuahua City was made at
3en. Funston's headquarters today.
since yesterday much Information
that the bandit was In the