The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-21
SOLDIERS ALLOW BANDIT VILLA
 TO SLIP THROUGH
 HANDS AND ESCAPE
(Continned from Page One)

American troops within the next 36 hours, if reports coming to General Funston s headquarters, both from General Pershing and from Mexican sources are correct Advices from General Pershing today said that Villa had been reported de- feated by Mexican government troops near Cruces and that he was marching northward, in retreat.
 General Pershings report was fol- lowed, however, by the unofficial report that Villa still was fighting at Nami- quipa, south of Cruces.
 If the Carranza force wins in the fight that was said to be continuing late to- day, Villa will have to move northward along a road over which detachment of American troops Is riding southward or head for the Santa Maria mountains that parallel the road to the east or to the Oriental range, on the west side. Re- treat, according to the reports, Is inn practicable because of the presence in the rear of Mexican troops wno forced him to turn northward from Cruces. The detachment that. is headed south on the road along which Villa was re- ported advancing is one of three subdi- visions operating south of Casas Grandes. One column was sent towards Lake
 
 des and somewhat to the west. The other two attachments moved as one to Caleana, south and east of Casas Gran des, and there separated, one continuing in more easterly direction toward Car men, 65 miles from Casas Grandes, and the other south toward Cruces, 50 miles from Casas Grandes, which now has be- come the advanced base of the expedi- | tionary forces.
 Just where General Pershing Is was rot announced, but he is directing the operations of the three attachments and by means of scouts, is attempting to keep in communication with them It was | realized at headquarters, however, that
 the divergent directions will make this difficult. although the mountainous char acter lof the country will afford eleva- tions that will make more feasible com
 municaton by signalling.
 WIDELY SEPARATED | It was pointed out at Fort Sam Hous- | ton that the three bodies of troops will l be so widely separated by the time they | have gone a short distance further that | 1t is almost certain that one of them will come in contact with the Villa band.
 The force moving towards Cruces was | only a short distance north of Valle, 2S
 miles north of Cruces, this afternoon. l The rapid advance of General Pershing's I force into Mexico has increased the de- | sire of those at army headquarters here | to be permitted to use the Northwestern | railway for moving supplies. Cruces, a. ! point that probably will be reached by enc of the cavalry attachments, is al-
 most 200 miles from the border and Lake Babicora, a like distance. It was pointed
 out that any delay in getting supplies
 through from the border to Casas Grandes from where they can be sent
 forward to the mobile units operating
 south of there, might interfere seriously with the plan of pursuit. General Funs- ten evinced no impatience, but he did 1 show concern and expressed the hope that General, Carranza would not misun- | 0erstand the motive for his request. | Even If the request is granted it will be some days before the road can be used because at two points at least re- pairs will have to be made. American Iclling stock will have to be sent across
 the line on account of its lack on the