The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-03-21

United States cavalry forces under
Colonel Dodd is making forced
marches from Cruces toward Mani
quipa to reinforce the Carranza troops
who are engaged in a running fight
with Villa. Although encircled, Villa
is making a desperate effort to reach
Santa Clara canyon in the Guerrero
mountains.
Villa Leads Bandits.
Ell Paso, Tex, March 21.-The
forces of Colonel Cano were engaged
in battle late yesterday with bandits
led by Villa in Namiguipa, according
to dispatch received by Gen. Ga
|Tira, Carranza's commander at Juarez.
Namiquopa is in the district of Guer-
zero, state if chihuahua.
Colonel Cano is in command of a
force of 900 cavalry, which came In
contact two days ago at Ell Vale
with Villaistas, who on this occasion
fled without giving battle.
Believe Withdrawing.
In spite of the reports that the
Carranza forces have engaged the
Villa men at Namiquipa, there seems
to be feeling here that the Carrap-
"a forces have failed to hold their
end of the net closing about the han
dit chief. There were confirmatory
reports received today OF. the news
received last week that the Mexicans
troops were not only failing to coop
Ierate withstf1e American troops But
| in certain instances, at least, they
were actually withdrawing from the
field of operations.
Reported Rowing.
In the last few days Villa has been
various1y reported by General Ga
vira, the Carranza commander 1t
Juarez, at points along line run
ming north and south from Galeaua
to Namiquipa. distance Of about Is
miles. By the same account, he has
not been moving steadily south, but
rowing north and east. The noun
taineous, canyon-split roadless coun-
try in which he is operating adds as
many miles to the country as he has
covered ais compared with it's distance
on the map.
No Explanation.
The reason for the Carranza troops
moving to the border remains unex-
planned. It is impossible even to
make a fair estimate of the number
of men under General Gavira ct
Juarez. The large staff at his head
Quarters and the fact that new troops
are arriving daily indicates that his
force is a large one. The most con-
|servative estimate places it at 5000
land calculations range from that
point up to 5000. Every precau-
ton has been taken to prevent the
fact being known, and most OF the
men are kept outside Of the town.
Reports from Aqua Prieta and Oiinga
Itell of Mexican reinforcements reach
ling those points also, but nothing 10
known as to their numbers.
/. There is no question that there is
serious and growing uneasipess In nl
Paso.
Troops to Battle,
San Antonio, March 21-Franeds-
co Villa may be forced into tho tight
with American troops within the
next SO hours If reports coming to
: General Funston's headquarters. both
. from General Pershing and f.ou,
3 Mexican sources, are correct.
General Pershing reported today
THAT Villa had been reported defeated
-lby Mexican government troops near
LAS Cruces and that he was march
ling northward on the retreat.
General Pershing's report was fol
lowed, however, by the unomcial 70
lport that villa was still fighting at
|Namiquipa; south of Las Cruces.
l Gives Preident Power.
l Washington, March 81. - Al
amendment to the army organisation
|bill introduced today gives the presi
ldent the power to call out regular