The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1916-03-26
Villa Escapes Trap Laid for
Him by Americans and
Carranzistas.
BY H. III. srANsBURY.

Special to Tie wsshinstnn- Herald.
FL Paso, Tex, March z5.-Pancho
Villa. the elusive bandit chieftain, for
whom 10000 American soldiers and
half as many more Carranzistas are
hunting, has again demonstrated that
he is great strategist.
The Americans and the Mexicans
who are cooperating, came together
from the four points of the compass
at FL Oso, five miles east of Nami-
quapa this morning. The trap was
empty.
The reports received at Juarez say
there was not even Villista in sight.
The enveloping movement had failed
of its object.
villa Near BabrIcora.
villa himself is placed by Gen. Gabriel
Gavira, the Carrsnza commander at
Juarez, as being a short distance from
Babricora. The forces of his command,
located at Ell Oso, forty-eight hours ago,
are said to be passing through the
Santa Clara canyon in an easterly direc-
ton.
| This force is commanded by Col Cervan-
ties, and 1t is believed he Is making for
Laguna station on the Mexican Central
IL lott
to how the escape was made. In certain
official circles. there is a strong suspicion
that friendly CarranzIstas aided
The wireless reports to Gen. Funston
indicate that the advance guards of the
expedition have temporarily ceased
port of a battle. the information has been
received that Gen. Pershing has started
on a two-days' inspection trip of all the
troops in the field. The report ends by
saying there have been no clashes inyoly-
| ing American troops
There Is strong ground here for the be-
lief that ali ACTIVITIES of United States
troops In the field must be halted Until
the question OF supplies can be settled.
Troops on Half Rations.
Will Crosby. the American scout, who
| led the way for the Pershing column
across the desert, reached El Paso from
! Casas Grsndes today. He said the
I troops at that point are now on half
rations of hard tack and bacon This
makes it certain that the cavalry column
| Their south are in no better plight.
| A carload Of gasoline was shipped over
| the Mexican Northwestern from Juarez
this morning. 1t was consigned to a
Mormon merchant at Colonia Dublan,
but Is known to be for the use of the
motor trucks stranded south of the Dor
der for the lack of fuel.
| The Mexican authorities did not know
of the shipment. it is said, until the
train had left. They Investigated and
found the gasoline had been forwarded
on a regular bill of lading. and were
helpless to do more than complain that
they had been tricked.
Campaign Scene shifts.
8
of all railway lines running into
Mexico from Juarez is admitted by
all officials familiar with the plight
of the troops. 1t is thought here villa
has become convinced that Carranza
will consent under the protocol. to
the use of the Northwestern, and has
decided to transfer his field of opera
lions to the district through which
the Mexico Central travels.
This would. of course, bring about
a demand for the use of the second
line. and the embarrassing delays
which would necessarily ensue.
MeIicans here believe Cervantes
will work south from Laguna. This
would make it possible for villa to
work across in a southeasterly d.
BILE his forces short distance north
of Chihuahua City
The influence of Luis Herrera's move
ments on the future of the situation Is
still in doubt Herrera Il now at Par
raj He still denies that he Is going to
JOll NlAlds OuI mas aunOAnCcu Ihat
he will not cooperate with the Carranza
officials as long as they condons the
presence OF an American army In
that point today. ....
Lieut. Thomas L Bowen, of the avis-
ton squad. who stopped here today en-
route to the hospital at Fort Sam Hous-
ton. said he was cursed and Kissed by
Mexicans when compelled to land dur
ing his flight at Casas Grandes. Several
OF the natives fired upon him. but he is
not certain whether they missed In
tentionally or tried to hit him and failed.
A wireless message from Columbus
picked up here tells that an aeroplane
mail and dispatch service was established
successfully between Casas Grandes and
that point today.
Englishman Survivors Land.