South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-03-11
U. S. General, Opposed to Any
Delay Not Absolutely Nee
eSSary, Ready to Ad-
vance Against Villa.
FEAR FOR SAFETY OF
AMERICANS ON TRAIN
Telegraph Communication is
Cut, Preventing Warning
Being Sent to Party
EnrOute to JuareZ.
international News Service:

I international News service.
Ell PASO, Texas, March IL
Mai. Gen. Frederick Funston is ex-
pected 10 reach the border within "a
hours and his arrival probably will
be the signal for the advance Of
American troops into Mexico to take
Francisco Villa. dead or alive. Fun
ston is known TO be opposed 10 any
delay that is absolutely unnecessary
In the meantime conditions OF ac-
tual warfare prevail here. The milf
tary authorities are taking into Gus
todv adherents of Villa who might
try TO convey TO the bandit informa-
ton as to the plans of the American
troops. The roundup of former
Villa officers and staunch support
ers began shortly after midnight
when Gen. Pablo Luna, formerly
member Of Villas bodyguard, was
apprehended at the residence of
Gen. Banda.
Banda was also arrested when he
protested against the removal of
Luna
Luna, Gomez. Isidro Luna and
Canuto Loba. described as ex-otfi-
GERS of Villas army, were also
seized.
Villa i'm Chihuahua.
Gen. Gaviera, commander of the
Carranza garrison at Juarez, re-
ceived word at midnight that Villa
was at La Ascension, Chihuahua
with a large force Of men. 1t was
suspected that Villa was aiming TO
strike the railroad between Casas
Grandes and Juarez, with the hope
of capturing 500 Mormons who had
stayed ut Casas Grandes when other
Americans left northern Mexico.
That these Americans will be kill
ed if captured by Villa, no one
doubts.
He has proclaimed his intention Of
Strengthening every citizen of the
United states who falls into his
hands.
With Villa and his bandit raiders
at La AscenciOn. several miles from
the Northwestern railroad line, grave
fears were entertained for the safety
Of a large number of Americans re-
ported to be on board a train en-
route to Juarez from Casas Grandes.
This brain is due at Guzman, state
of Chihuahua, some time this after
noon, and it is believed that Villa
planned to move his forces to that
point, or nearby, and lay in ambush
to massacre the passengers.
Telegraphic communications are
reported cut and it was impossible
to send a warning message.
The Mormon special was sched-
uled to leave Casas Grandes last
night or early today. and Villa and
his bandits have avowed their inten-
ton Of attacking this train and muir
dering all the Mormon passengers,
including the women and children.
Notified Of Villas Moves.
Military authorities at Juarez were
notified of Villas movements south
ward toward the Northwestern rail-
road line. by Gen. Bertrand. who is
in command Of 500 Carranzista sol
diers near PalOmas, state of Chihua-
hua He reported that the majority
of the Villa outlaws moved in the
direction of La Ascension folloyssng
their defeat by the 18th United
tates cavalry at Columbus Gen.
Bertrand said that villa was with
the column, which numbers approx
mately 1000 He has not taken his
entire command, but has left num-
Der of small groups along the border
between JUarez and La Palomas.
Several of these bandits have con-
I
ranch houses on the American side
of the frontier, driving off live stock
and burning the buildings
When Villa recently passed
through the Mormon colonies at
Cdlonis, Juarez, Casas Grandes, and
other places IN Galena district, he
threatened 10 murder them if they
did not leave Mexico.
Since his defeat at the hands Of
the 18th cavalry Villa has an
nounced his intention of conducting
war on all Americans saying he
will neither give nor ask quarter.
Fear second Tragedy.
According TO the most reliable
information received through Gen
1 Carranz2 and other sources. the
train due 10 pass Guzman this af-
ternOOn is protected by a small mil
itary escort. A second Santa Ysa-
bel tragedy is feared as the guard is
a weak one.
Two thousand CarranZa soldiers
are en- route 70 Juarez from Chihua-
hua CITY but they will reach the
border too late 10 entrain over the
Northwestern 70 reach Guzman in