The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-03-17

retreat across the mountain into 30
nora.
Colonel slocum's column Of cavalry.
infantry, and artillery IL moving slowly
south Of Palomas. II Is possibly TO be
Joined today ~ the seven aviators from
Reports brought here BY persons who
visited Columbus tell of practice flights
yesterday preliminary to their soaring
southwark today to act as scouts. Their
bomb dropping ability ls to be restric-
ted for the present, owing to the large
number. OF Carratiza troops ~ the, Casas
Grandes country also on Villas trail.
That Colonel Dodd's flying squadron
of cavalry may be too late 70 cut OH
Villas retreat to his secret hiding places
In the sierra Madres, is indicated In q
report from Aqua Prieta that villa Pl-
ready has crossed ever into sonora r,-
NOR.
Catransa cavlary had been stationed
20 guard the principal passes over the
rugged range OF mountains.
Reports from Preside. Tex, In tne
'rbig bend" country east Of here told
Of renewed bandit raids by villa SYM
pathizers on American soil.
Desertions Reported.
pesertion OF Carranza soldiers through
out chihuahua also are reported. al
though no specific act or opposition by
Carranzista troops against the Amer
lear expedition has yet been confirm
ed.
The rumored revolt OF the ojinaga
garrison and the assassination OF its
commander have been officially denied.
shippers. presumably villa sympa-
thixers, fired on a Texas and Pacific
railroad near the Alfalfa switch, east
OF 81 Paso. but no one was injured.
There 10 no confirmation Of reports
that snipers have picked off members
villista bands are reported ahead OF
Colonel Dodd's column. and unofficial
reports Of skirmishes are expected
hourly.
There has been no indication of OPP
IN Chihuahua who hope to have the
bandit facing one of their firing
squads before the American expedl-
tion can close In on him.
as scouts and Qtherwise cooperating
with the expedition, General Gavlra,
commandment In Juarez. state6~ that
American troops would not be per-
United to garrison any Mexican cities
or towns during the pursuit OF villa.
Bertani Joins Cavalry.
General Bertani, placed in command
OF the Carransa pursuit in the Ga
leana district, where villa was last
reported seen. Joined his cavalry ut
Casas Grandes today: Civil authori-
ranza's cooperation. asked why. the
american troops were not permitted
10 use the Mexican Northwestern rail-
road from Juarez to Suzman or
to make the march across the Chihua-
The sand Of the Mexican plains has
retarded the progress Of the Columbus 3u
are finding II difficult 10 keep mp
with the cavalry advance. The United
States infantry, despite years OF ser
coTntering difficulties on The treach-
erous sands. 90"
Moves Twenty-Five Miles.
The main column from Columbus
spent the night at the Boca Grandoe
water hole. about twenty-five miles
south Of the border. according to In
formation brought to Columbus by
returning wagon trains. Yesterdays
march was about fifteen niles
through the desert.
The cavalry vanguard Of this divis-
Ion expected to reach Guzman, mid
way l,etween Jua-eE ard Casas Gram
des tonight. ,,,
gSzrnan. is expected 10 Join the Amer
i-ap forces in the advance to casds
The' Mexico Northwestern rsilroad !.
available at Gusman for movement
The Mormons at Pearson and Casas
Grandes are expected to etrain for the
border today under Carranfa guards.
Advices from Casas Grandes mention
the Dublan colonists at Pearson, sug-
Resting that Colonia Duplan mad es-
capped a visit from the Villa bands. re-
ported moving to burn the settlement.
Absence Of Trails.
Colonel Dodd's column, which started
for the relief OF the Dublan Mormonsr
Is attracting interest here from the
fact that the Tenth Cavalry. half OF the
columns number, Is composed OF negro
Absence of trails will render the
American mountain artillery useless. u
is declared, and cavalry and infantry
must face on foot foe who gives nc
quarter.
Additional troops reached Columbus
throughout the day from interior posts
OF other war supplies passed through
E1 Paso westward bound. The expedi
ton IL plentifully supplied for n hare
campaign through barren territory.
The Villa Spy scare" continues to re
ceive the attention of the police. Col
Miguel San Vincente, caught in thu
dragnet. was found to have beef
wounded. lie was held on suspicion o.
having participated in the Columbus
viiiistas outrasss is one brought 3!
Sam Hess. an American refugee. whit
stated he saw raiders kill five Mexican
and carry of the only other remaining
member OF the family, a girl. Hes
said he escaped by hiding.