Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-16
THIRD u. s. EXPEDITION
MAY START FROM Ell PASO

MA NIAhI fhUM Ell EADU
Ell PASO. Tex. March i6.-Brigadler
| General George Bell, Jr., with his aides,
Lieutenants c. b. Moore and r. r. Pratt.
arrived last night from San Antonio.
/ General Bell comes TO assume command of
/ the American forces here In the absence
| of General Pershing in Mexico General
| Bell. It is believed, will lead a third col
umn into Mexico from this point.
! Evidences of active preparations for the
sending in OF another United states army
in pursuit of Villa were to he seen here
/ In the mobilization of additional forces
and the gathering Of supplies and muni-
| tions. The third army of invasion will
enter Mexico at some point near El Paso,
it was indicated. and it also was indicated
that the United States troops will not go
through Juarez, but will move around that
city and may make use of the Mexican
Northwestern Railway at point several
miles from the border
Four troops of the 11th Cavalry, from
Fort ORlethorpe. Ga, have arrived at
Fort Bliss. They are Troops A, B, G and
ID. Four more troops of the same regl-
ment are due before midnight, and the
third battalion will arrive in the early
morning, The 23d Infantry from Calves
ton, is expected to reach Fort Bliss be-
fore tonight. and additional forces in
cluding artillery and an aviation corps
from San Diego, are said to be under or
ders to proceed to this point
All available auto trucks in FL Paso are
being leased by the quartermaster depart
ment for forwarding supplies from the
border to the armies In tho interior. and
will be accompanied by n detail of infantry
riding on each truck
AUTOS FOR SERVICE.
Ten automobiles were brought here and
sent to Columbus to he used in the Mexi-
can campaign for scouting purposes.
They will be followed by others which
the Quartermasters Department is said to
be trying to obtain.
II the troops are able to make 30 miles
a dnv General Pershings forces should
reach the country where Villa and his
bandits are reported to be camped In
about five days. This is the opinion of
old cattlemen here who know the route
we'll.
There need be no dearth of water on
the way If the American scouts use ordi-
nary precaution in leading the forces into
the interior. Water holes and running
streams. these at rare intervals, are to be
found along the trail.
After leaving the border the Americans
will find plenty of water at the ranch of
the Palomas Ranch and Cattle Company
From there to the Boca Grande River
there are wells on ranches that can be
an abundance of water. At Corralitos
there is water in abundance, and the |
trail from there to the Casas Grandes |
settlements is fairly well watered,
From Palomas to Casas Grandes It is
approximately 40 miles by the route |
Villa followed, and 1t is presumed the |
American troops will follow closely the |
same route
The advance of the punitive forces did |
not disturb the usual calm of Juarez to- |
day. The garrison soldiers appeared en- !
tirely friendly to visiting Americans, as |
was the native population.
MeXIcans born in the United States |
have formed home guard force in El |
Paso with view of offering their services ,
to the city in the event of an attack or |
riot. There are myre than 200 in the |
organization
Speaking of the rumor of popular re-
sentiment against Americans in Mexico. |
Consul Andres Garcia said:
THE excitement. so far as 1 am allie |
to learn Is entirely on the American side |
of the border. / haven't heard of o. In
gle authentic case of Carranzista soldiers
Americans. Perhaps few
individual soldiers have called the Amer
leans names as has been charged, but |
myself have often been called names on
the American side. Our forces are well
under discipline and there is no likelihood
OF any outrage against Americans of any
sort.
Il know that there has been none OF
the reported resentment among my men
We are all friendly disposed to the United
States and its citizens"
Stories brought from the interior of
Mexico by American refugees served, how
ever, to confirm the impression that at
least section of the CarraEza soldiery
were far from unfriendly 10 Villa and
were decidedly hostile TO the American ex-
pedition.
At the same time other Americans, es-
pecially those who came from Sonora and
the western part OF Mexico, declared that
in those parts were quiet and
that they had experienced no display of
animosity toward either the United
states or themselves personally.
One OF the difficulties in catching villa,
as pointed out by these Americans, was
the superiority Of the horses his men
ride over the other mounts available in
Northern Mexico. Villas horses were
described as race horses" The fugitive
has made practice OF seizing or buying
outright the finest horses available.
Another problem. the Americans said.
ay In the fact that. through fear or ig-
the MeNlcans residing In coun-
try regions OF Chihuahua give consider.
able allegiance to Villa In the cities
hey considered the Carranza senti-
ment dominant but said Villa was free
10 travel without danger In rural regions
unless he came into actual contact with
carranza troops
Among the arrivals were the following
The Rev. and Mrs A c.
Wright. Mr.. and Mrs. l.. 3. Fritz Miss
Mary Blachly and Miss Mary +. Long.