New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-26
Menace to Northern
Mexico Seen if Chi
huahua City Falls
AMERICAN TROOPS
BAR BORDER RAID
Work of Joint Commission
Delayed Until Situation
Has Been Clarified

Washington, Oct. 25.-Condition In
Northern Mexico, revolving on the new
ascendency of Villa as a military leader
are commanding more attention than al
any time since the raids which resulted
in the dispatch of the American puni-
tive expedition.
Reports came to the War Department
to-day that Villas campfires were in
sight Of chihuahua City, and that Cen
eral Trevino, the Carranzs commander
there, although plentifully supplied
with arms and receiving reinforce
ments, was short OF ammunition, and
considering evacuating the capital.
Department officials said tonight
they had not heard the report reach
ing the border that Chihuahua actually
had fallen. AS matter Of military
ststegy it was pointed out that Villa
once occupying Chihuahua, could com
pei the surrender of Juarez. and at an
other stroke might take Torreon. Mon
terey and Saltillo, when he would be a
milhayy factor different from the ban
dit for whose life an American mill
tary expedition was dispatched.
Commissions Work Blocked.
Administration officials tonight did
not disguise their opinion that the
American Mexican Commission. sitting
at Atlantic City, cannot be expected to
arrive at a solution OF border prob
lens until the situation In Chihuah ia
has been clarified. Any agreement for
the early withdrawal of General Perish
ing's forces from Mexico apparently is
considered now as out Of the question.
While the present situation exists
there is little possibility that the
forces of regulars or national guards
men on the border will be reduced. II
was indicated that no chances would
be taken Of another raid into Ameri-
can territory.
Coupled with reports which dispar-
age the stability of General Carranza's
regime and interpret his removal from
Mexico City to Queretaro as a sign OF
the breaking up process which his
enemies repeatedly have predicted. the
military movements Of Villa are re-
garded here as menacing the de facto
control of the whole OF the northern
country.
The Mexican Embassy's explanation
of Carranza's move to Queretaro was
that he had gone to prepare for the
meeting of the Constituent Assembly,
for which deputies just have been
elected.
Reports from Major General Funston
said General Trevino privately had ad-
vised many in Chihuahua to leave.
Trevino has sent his own family out
Of the country and he prepared a spe-
cial train for officials.
Obrexon Holds Munitions
Reports TO persons here In touch
With the Legalista movement state
that villa personally has given as
suranees that he will leave Mexico and
70 10 Cuba II Carranzs Is overthrown.
The same persons say that General
Obregon personally is keeping control
of practically all the available NUM-
tions. This accounts for its scarcity
in tho north.
In military circles here It Is believed
that General Pershing's forces In Mex
leo have served to keep this new out
break at arms length from the border
Confidence Is expressed that the bandit
leaders will not risk operations In
region where they might encounter an
American force.