The Washington herald., 1916-03-21
BANDIT FIGHTS
MEXICAN FOES
Makes Desperate Stand at
Mountain Pass Against
Carranza Forces.
500 MORE JOIN HIM
Pershing's Men Rushing to Aid Con-
stitu6onalists After Taking Over
Section Of Railroad.
by III. II. STANSBLRl.
Washington Herald.

Special to The Washington Herald.
FL Paso, Tex, March 20.-Francisco
Villa was in a desperate battle with
Carranza forces under Col. CanO at
Namiquipa tonight at o'clock, FL
PasO time Here the bandit leader
turned on his pursueEs and made
stand after running fight which
started at Las Cruces during the at
-ernOon.
United States troops from the COM
mand of Col. Dodd are hurrying to
the support OF the Carranzistas from
Ii Vale. Another detachment is fol-
lowing the trail which leads to the
pass through the mountains to Babi-
cora 1t is believed villa will retreat
in the direction of Lake Babicora. Re
ports indicate the Americans will be
in the midst of the fighting before
daylight. either at Namiquipa or the
mountain pass. An engagement at the
latter point would give Villa dis
tinctive advantage. as he is expected
to give fight from the mountain
slopes.
Villa is said to have about 1900
men. He is able to stand and fight
only because 500 sympatbizers. work.
ing northwards. we'll supplied with am
munition, joined him at Namiquipa.
The Carranza rorce 1s estimated at
less than 900 men. The strength OF
the detachments is not given.
Pershing Hurries to Fight.
Gen. Pershing is believed to be hur-
rying to the scene of battle. The sec
ton of the Mexican Northwestern
Railroad south from Casas Grandes to
Cumbre and beyond is understood to
have been taken in charge by Gen.
Pershing to send re-enforcements and
supplies to Dodd's men.
The total number of United States
troops now in Mexico was fixed at
5000 by an army authority today. Halt
of this number have crossed the Dor
der since the original expeditions
started out. Others are still going
south.
News Of the fighting sent a thrill
through FL Paso such as had not been
experienced since the last time Juarez
was taken. First a wireless leak told
that Pershing had reported to Fun
ston that Carranzistas had engaged
Villa at Las Cruces and defeated him.
CnrrsnnIstas in Earnest.
Then Ged. Gavira. commander of the
Juarez garrison. began getting messages
over the Mexican Federal telegraph
lines. The information was only fraG.
mentary during the first two hours.
At $50 Mexican Consul Andreas Garcia
rushed breathlessIy into the Internationa
News Service Bureau with this dispatch
Col. Cano engaged in battle at Mani
uuipa. district OF Guerrero Chihuahut
Hard fighting started at 10 O'clock"
Having acted as messenger himself t.
get tho news out FIRST. Garcia turned Il
me and said with a dramatic gesture:
Now. you can see the Carranza sol
dicrs arc helping tho Americans to catcl
Villa. We are fighting him right now
aud l hope the Americans will get Their
soon. Cen. Luis Gutierrez. commander o
all the forces in Chihuahua, is rushing
to the scene from the capital Of tn
state"
Gen. Gayira is now loading go men a
Juarcz and will start them south imme
diateIy. These will be followed by tn
cavalry command of Gen. Maldonadc
who arrived today from SaltiIlo.
Late dispatches received at the Wa
Department last night are believed I
have confirmed the press reports froI
tho border Of Villas defeat by Carranz
forces at Cruces, srd Of his retreat in tn
direction of American forces at FL Vail,
The dispatches were telephoned to Ma
Sen. Scott at his home at Fort Myer. BIT
nc declined to make them public.