The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-23


 withhold information, and that it is strange that the wires to Casas Grandes. a distance of only 13o miles, along rail- road could not be repaired in two days time.
 CLOSE TO NAMIQUIPA
 That General Pershng and some of his forces are close to Namiquipa seems reas- onably certain, and if the bandit had re- ceived serious check at the hands of the CarranZa soldiers a clash between his followers and the Americans should be lm- minent. The fact that Carranza victory would have most certainly been heralded far and wide by this time. instead of sup pressed, adds force to the contentious of the skeptcal.
 Whatever is the real situation in that section of Chihuahua where American, Carranza and Villa followers are operat- ing, the main interest here lies in the rail- road situation. Even before the American government requested General Carranza to permit the use of the Mexican railroads for the transportation of supplies, rumors had reached here that General Funston was experiencing serious difficulty in for warding them to General Pershings col umns. These rumors have reached the stage now where they may be classed as definite information
 Arrivals from Columbus today reported that the transportation service across the desert was being badly hampered by sand storms There are no roads except those the American engineers have been able to improvise and these are said to De cut to pieces by the heavy transport wag- ons.
 An American mining man who has lived for 9 years in Chihuahua declared today that it would be little less than a miracle if the American army staff was able to send tHo mo SI1pnliac for thp in the field distance of 200 miles for any period of time.
 FUNSTON GETTING READY
 That General Funston is fully alive to this situation is evidenced by the elabor- ate arrangements being made here Tor using the Mexican Northwestern railroad, and if Carranza grants the needed per mission conductors, engineers. firemen and brakemen. most of whom have seen service on the Mexican National railways, will be pressed into service. All of the equipment in the E' Paso yards has been inspected and enumerated and exact in- formation has been obtained as to how many trains can be counted on with full American crews for each.
 There has been particular activity in the quartermaster's department. where plans a"c being made to establish base here larger than that at Columbus. At the same time, it was said that no attempt was contemplated to send troops across the border at this point, but supplies alone
 One of the most popular reports here to- day was that Villa spies. ranging in numbers from three to slxteen. were shot in ]uarez this morning. It was pro- nounced canard by General Gavira. the commandant. and by Consul Garcia, who declared that no spies had been arrested and that no criminals were under sen tence of death, Customs officials and soldiers at the international bridge say nothing has occurred in Juarez to break its usual calm
 ARE MOSTLY BOYS
 The soldiers around Juarez seem to be mostly boys. Middle-aged men are excep- tional. while many in the ranks are not as tall as their rifles. Not much emphasis is laid on soldieily appearance. Uniforms form medley of style and color, from