South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-18
Invading Soldiers Effect Juno
ton Near San Pedro. rs
Miles South OF Border.
Supplies Are Sent.
BATTLE IS IMMINENT
WITH VILLAS FORCES
Censorship is frightened to
Prevent Secret Agents of
Bandit Leader From
Sending information.
international News Service

international News service.
Ell PASO. Texas. March 1S.-Two
American columns advancing into
Mexico 10 capture Francisco Villa
effected a junction late yesterday at
san PEDRO. % miles south of the
border. Thus far there has been no
hghting with any large bands q
Villa bandits. but by Sunday the
United states forces will BE well into
the territory where Villa has long
spread terror.
The seventh cavalry now in the
lead OF the Americans, has pressed
forward by a splendid forced march
10 the edge of the Casas Grandes
district. Horses to replace the tired
mounts of the seventh cavalry troop
ers were sent forward from Column
bus early today That hard fighting
is expected within a short time is
evidenced by the fact that "A pack
train of ammunition also left Co
lumbus.
Another proof that "a conflict is
imminent is seen i'm the tightening
-
To insure secrecy as to the move
meuts of the American and Car
rama troops the United States and
Mexican authorities Joined hands.
a press courier with the American
forces dashed ahead of the troops
into Guzman TO file dispatches over
he federal wires into Juarez. He
was arrested there and taken back
10 the Americans.
The correspondents who were Sc
lected to accompany the military eN-
petition into Mexico have been
placed with the rear guard Of i'm
fantry. one of them got through n
message dated somewhere in Mex
ico." in which he asked for a pipe.
but of the troop movements ne was
not permitted 10 say word.
secret Agents Active.
The censorship is fully justified by
discoveries made by the American
military authorities on the border.
They have ascertained that Nina
spies are active at every point The
bandit leaders secret agents are get
ting through TO the leader in devious
ways that only MeNicans understand.
every scrap of information that can
be learned as 20 the direction i'm
which "AmericanOs" are proceed
ing. their strength and their plans.
The Villa secret service" has been
badly injured by the number of ar
rests made at FL Paso and other
points. but il is still in operation.
News OF the first actual encounter
with Villas forces may not become
known for several days after il has
taken place. The censors state that
IL will be reported only when its
publication will not interfere with
strategic aims OF the American
troops.
News of the gallant ride made by
the seventh cavalry dash that
carried the troopers almost within
range of the Fillista haunts in the
Casas Grandes distrist-frst became
known IN Juarez. Gen. Gaviera
could not identity the troopers from
the reports brought i'm 10y his men,
who told of the wonderful night ride
OF the Americans on their big horses,
but the advices from Columbus stat
ils that remounts had been sent for
ward for the seventh revealed the
IDENTITY Of the dashing cavalrymen.
Make Gallant Dash.
At the start of the dash every
spare ounce of equipment had been
abandoned. Far up the line the Of
ncer raised his arm high and made
me stiff. jerky signal that means
double quick The column started
forward. All during the long after
noon the troops pressed on. The
desert dust rose I'm smothering
cioud engulhug them and making
them clutch at their threats
Their forms were powdered with
ia and il streaked their faces like
grotesque masks.
Then the sun dropped behind the
hich peaks and the quick dusk OF
the mountains fell. Night found the
men still in the saddle. The moon
made the deep shadows of the hills
blacker and more formdding but il
could not pierce the dust through
which the silent figures moved like
ghosts.
Finally came the order 10 halt
The cavalrymen slipped from their
mounts. worn and weary. but ready
10 resume the terrible pace with the
new day. The great ride had tried
their mettle and had found it not
wanting.
The arrival OF the troopers az the
edge OF the Casas Grandes district
brought the American cavalrymen
Cazranzista soldiers end Francisco