Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-20
VILLA AND REYES
HASTEN JUNCTION
FOR BLOW AT U. S.
Mexican Outlaws Reported
Ready to Join for
the Attack
wARsHIPs HELD READY

WASHINGTON. March 2O.--Cnless tn,
American punitive expedition corners
Francisco villa within the next IS hour'
the task Of capturing the bandit chief will
be greatly complicated.
Confidential advices reaching here to
day say that General Canuto Reyes, the
Nillista commander in the Torreon dis
trict Is moving northward with between
1000 and 5000 men planning TO effect q
junction with the Nillista forces. Should
he be successful, villa will be in position
20 give battle to the American forces, as
the Reyes troops are veterans and are well
armed and equipped
II IS assumed here that General Per-
shing knows OF the Reyes movement and
that he will take every necessary pre-
caution to checltmate II. But to do so
will necessltate active cooperation by the
Carranzista soldiers who are operating
from Chihuahua and who up to the pres
ent have failed TO show any desire to
assist the Americans I'm any way.
Although on the surface the general
situation I'm Mexico seemed unchanged to-
day, officials plainly were more appre-
hensive. Every day that the American
forces remain in Mexico adds to the un-
certainty From many points along the
border appeals are being received by the
w.r Department to strengthen the troops
on guard because of the reported planned
raids by Vilista sympathizers. Represent
ative Smith of Texas told Acting Secre-
tary of War Scott that Villistas have conf
pleted plans to raid Presido. Tex, and
that assistance was urgently needed. Gem
eraI Funston was Immediately ordered
to take every precaution to prevent any
raids.
Reports OF discomfort among the Car
ranzista forces continue to reach this city.
Many Of the men are declared TO be
threatening to desert if the American eN-
V,,I t1,a
on the First Chief" constantly is in
creasing. However. the state and war
Departments continue hopeful that there
will be no open outbreak and that car
rama and Obregon can retain control OF
their forces
Plans have been completed for increas-
ing the American naval forces on the
Mexican east coast. This Will not be done
unless an emergency arises, but the 500
marines sent to Pensacola will be held In
readiness for immediate transfer there,
while the old battleship kearsarge Will be
held ready for orders to join the Kentucky
at Vera Cruz II is not the present inten-
tion of the Navy Department today to
send any of the Atlantic fleet vessels to
Mexico from Guantanamo IL that can be |
avoided.
The Kearsarge and Kentucky however, |
have been in Mexican waters for months, |
and the Kentucky already is on her way |
back to Vera Cruz from New Orleans. |
Sending the Kearsarge to join her would |
not cause any irritation among the MeX- |
cans, and it will be possible in that event |
to send with the battleship an augmented |
marine guard that would be available for
any emergency that might arise.
1t is expected that at tomorrow's |
Cabinet meeting the President will take
up with his advisers the question of what
action shall be taken should il develop
that villa has managed to escape into his .
refuge. SO far, officials say, |
no such contingency has been discussed. |
The question of whether Carranza will |
be permitted to continue to import un-
limited quantities of ammunition from
the United States and how the supplies
are to be sent forward to Pershing must |
also be decided within the next few days. |