Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-21
CARRANZISTAS BEAT VILLA
NTWO SHARP ENGAGEMENTS
Ell PAso. TEX, March II.


Francisco villa, twice defeated i'm one
day by Carranza soldiers who stood the
test and baffied his attempts TO escape,
rallied his forces and was reported to-
day marching toward the northwest from
Namiquipa. If he continues along this
route he will come directly into the trap
formed by three columns of American
cavalry
Unless Vills by one of the dashing
maneuvers for which he Is famous, doubles
on his trail and escapes between the
American and Carranza soldiers who hem
him in, 1t Is expected that before night
he will be making his last fight.
The American cavalry, although worn
BY its rapid march into Mexico, la re-
ported in advlces at General Gavira's
headquarters in Juarez to have been sent
forward at still faster pace to join
battle with Villas band. AeroplaneS sent
from Columbus are said to be flying over
Villas forces and making frequent .re-
ports to General Pershing as to the move
ments Of villa and his forces.
VILLA DIVIDES FORCES.
Villa has divided his followers into two
bands This was officially confirmed today
IN the reports received by General Gavira.
One of the bands was defeated at Las
Cruces yesterday by the Carranzas The
Al
terday afternoon.
Villas characteristic tactics call for a
swift sure stroke--a surprise attack. But
the CarranZstas awere prepared They
began to fire as soon as Villas horsemen
came in sight When the Villistas finally
ned the Carranzista commander imme-
diately sent dispatches to General Gavira
In Juarez reporting decisive victory over
the Villa forces.
VILLA LEADS BEATEN TROOPS.
During the night, according to the Car
fanza report on the engagement, the ban
dts vanquished at Las Cruces in a two
nour battle effected a junction with the
losers of the Namiquipa conflict to the
northwest of Namiquipa, only 2S miles
rom the leading American column.
General Gavira believes that Villas
movement toward the points from which
me American troops were advancing was
with the hope of reaching an ancient trail
lew miles north of Namiquipa by which
ecould double back toward Babicora.
The Villistas defeated at Las Cruces
we're led by the bandit chieftain in per-
son. villa is said to have had with him
about 500 men.
They were opposed by Carranzistas. The
battle was fought on the banks of the
santa Maria River, which Villa was at
empting to cross. The Carranzistas held
seod positions and were able to repuse
hree different assaults. When the VII
Is'as attacks weakened the CaTranza
troops took the offensive and drove Villas
iOrces into headlong retreat.
Fhlas force in the Las Cruces battle
sas larger than that which he had with
uun IN the Columbus raid. He had gath
asu IN many volunteers during his re-
ueat from the border. Though virtually
- s'rong as the Carranzista leader that
ssohIronted him on the Santa Maria, Villa
ssid 10 have wished to avoid conflict
= 'iiat time, but was forced by his own
.lsl' Most of his recruits had been gath
s,ea a with the promise of - fight with
haieriean troops. Villa had boasted that
Ae could whip the whole American army.
polowing their record-breaking ride
iIom Haehlta, Colonel Dodds cavalry was
.sported making another forced march TO
az az the Carranzistas in cutting OFF the
hisht OF the Villistas.
-. Trap villa, II he escapes into the
nseuhtalns' the central column from
s3seees' General Pershing has sent cav
- - squadrons southwark to the Babi-
~ Nleh ranch and to Carmen on either side
.,.a ohe OF these three columns should be
% -ilhin striking distance OF Villas rear
s14fo before night.
FORCES FORM TRIANGLE.
4. .he Carranzistas position at Namiquipa |
n part OF the trap set in the campaign |
seas ,sle.-us OF General Gavira, who outlined |
mn rleni last week in a dispatch from this |
/, -, s,alfanza garrisons form a rough tri- |
7pssis, the apex of which is at Chihuahua.
- american troops from the north were |
ef-saslhs villa into this narrowing line Of |
psht began.
Nm phs American soldiers headed for the /
~ country are in three detachments, /
~ easy are cooperating closely. one of /
- - started for the Lake Babicora dis 4
- Inc others started in one column |
..on casas Grandes, ana divided at Gal
- southeast Of Casas Grandes. one |
'1sainent pressed forward TO Las Cruces, /