The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-20
Villa Shows No Inclination to
Fight Troops.
CarranzistaS Advance on South,
L. $. From North.
PLANES REACH CASAS GRANDES
L. s. Forces Dividing Like
SpOkes of a Wheel.
Outlaws Reported so Miles
Ahead of DOdd Cavalry.

San Antonio. March 20.-Like
spol1es in d great wheel half dozen
American detachments were operating
south and southeast of Casas Grandes
combing the entire district for Villista
bandits The fact that General
Pershing has directed his greatest eff
forts in u southeasteriy direction as
announced by General Funston today,
practically indicates that Villa has
swung to the south and east since
passing through Colonia Gracia and
is now near Namiquipa.
with his small band of followers
villa was today reported to be moving
along the mountains on the Sierra
Madre toward Durango. An expedition.
as large as Pershing's could not pass
over the 81 me route. Colonel Dodd's 5
cavalrymen were reported to be with
in so miles of Villa although over
these mountain trails this distance is
considered n good two days march.
At Favorite Haunts.
Between Villa and Durango, how
ever. are the Tarahumare mountains,
also one of the bandits favorite haunts
in which for twenty years he success
fully defeated Porfirio Diaz. He was
approaching the Tarahumare range
today and was not out of the trap set
by Carranzista garrisons at Chihua-
hua City, Namiquipa and MADEIRA.
The American Mormon colonists re-
lieved by the presence of Pershing' s
forces were not inclined today TO leave
Mexico. They were likely to be or
dered to the border by General Per-
shing, according to reports received by
I'll Paso Mormons
No Battle Today.
san Antonio. March 2O.-Fransisc0
Villa, on whose indistinct trail Cen
eral Pershing's cavalry are riding,
still declined today TO offer resistance.
General F'unston's reports from the
commander of the expeditionary
forces told the manner in which the
forces are operating south of Casas
CirandeS. but offered little reason for
a belief that any clash with the re-
treating bandits would occur today or
even tomorrow.
Most of the information reaching
General Pershing indicated that Villa
was heading for the mountains in the
Guerrero districts. Americans who
have spent many years in that part OF
Mexico are now being used as scouts
and guides over the trails that lead
to the south and east Of Casas
Grandes
Rcinforccments Arrive.
The force actually being used in the
chase of Villa was strengthened today
by the arrival at Casas Grandes of de.
tachments II .he Thirteenth infantry
and Fourth field artillery and the
aero squadron. Reports to army
headquarters did not indicate whether
the 1eroplanes moved forward or
their trucks or by flying.
It is assumed here that Genera
Pershing will Immediately avail him
self of the service of the eight aero
planes. 1t has been assumed at army
headquarters that the Carranza troop;
are joining heartily in the task 81
running from Villa, but what the Mex
lean troops are doing is unknown by
the Americans.
The soldiers of both countries ar,
working to the same end. but tn;
Mexican commanders have not re
vealed to the American officers thei1
plans and just where the troops ar'
who are supposed to be co-opera tins
with the Americans is unknown.
MEXICAN Garrison Friendly.
General Pershing reported toda,
that the garrison at Casas Grande.
was friendly but passive" In tn,
same report he said that the Mormon
colonists there looked upon Americans
as their ''rescuers." New estimate!
made by General Pershing placed
Villas losses in killed wounded anC
deserted since crossing the line to at
tack Columbus at two hundred.
General Pershing made no mention
in his reports of further attacks b!
Villa upon American colonists. Re
assuring reports from the border nea.
Ojinaga were received here today
Colonel Sibley reported yesterday H.
talked with Colonel RojaS the com
mander of the garrison at Ojinaga
who was reported killed by his owl
men last week and was assured tina
conditions along that part of the lin
were good.
Supreme Court Recesses