The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-03-31
BANDIT cHiEFTAIN TO BE REIN
FORCED BY REYES, ARRIETA
BROTHERS AND ZAPATA,
is BELIEF.
MEXICAN RESIDENTS GIVE
INFORMATION TO SOLDIERS
Poems, Who Have Been Ravaged by
Raiders, Ready to Tell Americans
Concerning Flight of Bandit
Carranza Troops Show Indif-
ference, Report.

Casas Grandes, Chihuahua, Mex. by
wireless to Columbus, N. M, March 20.
Villa is flying southwest toward the
foothills of the Sierras. According to
army reports received here the rapid.
ity of his flight is precipitating the
American pursuit. All arms of the
service are being used in an attempt
to force the bandit into a corner.
The Mexican residents of this Sec
ton which has been ravaged time and
time again by Villa bandits are freely
giving information concerning his
flight, supplies, armament and strength
to the American military authorities.
Great Haste in Retreat.
While much of this information has
been too indefinite to be of value, it is
presumed that the knowledge that the
Americans are kept informed as to his
movements has influenced the bandit
chieftain to the greatest haste in his
retreat.
Although the United States troops
are following closely in his wake so
far it is stated no fighting has taken
place.
Carranza Force Defeated.
San Antonio, Texas, March %. -
Francisco Villas escape from the re-
gion about Namiquipa was preceded
by smart defeat administered by him
to part of the Mexican government
troops and was unopposed by other
attachments of the de facto govern
ment forces, according to unofficial
but credible reports reaching here
troops that the Mexican authorities
announced should have been drawn
across his path, gave way, according
to these reports, with willingness
that indicated their cooperation with
him rather than with the American
forces.
Nearly 800 Miles From Border.
officers of the quartermaster de-
partment studied the best methods Of
getting provisions, especially supplies
for the horses and mules to the field
army, while General Funston and his
staff anxiously studied the map, re-
ferring frequently to the scale Of miles
that showed the advanced cavalry col
umns rapidly nearing points 300 miles
away from the border. 1t was realized
here that the early capture of Villa
would be little better than an accident.
Check Rests With Carranza.
With their knowledge of the coun-
try and with the assistance they can
obtain along their route, Villa and his
followers, it is feared, will have no diff
ficulty in keeping ahead of the pursu-
ing Americans. Their hope for an
early ending of the chase is that Car
ranza's troops finally check Villas
flight or that Villa himself, after join
ing one or more of his wandering
bands in southern Chihuahua or from
northern Durango, may decide to fight
it out with the steadily advancing cav
airy of the punitive force.
To Reinforce Villa.
That Villa will be able to effect q
juncture with a considerable force be-
fore he is brought to a stand again is
regarded at headquarters here as prob
able. Canuto Reyes, one of his gen.
erals, who has been operating in the
vicinity of Torreon, is known to have
an exceedingly mobile force that is
by no means neglible, and in the state
Of Durango it is said the Arrieta
brothers are i'm position to move north
ward to his support.
Unofficial observers have offered a
theory regarded as somewhat fanciful
by American military men, however,
that Villa, after joining these and
others will continue his movements
to the south with the hope Of gather
ing strength as he goes and with Ia
pata and other armed enemies of the
Carranza government, attempt once
more to gain possession of Mexico
City.