Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-20

which drops southwark TO the west 4
OF Babricora lake and is withheld
from American use, there is no route
suitable for the marching purposes
or command like General Pershings |
other than the wagon road that starts |
from Casas Grandes and winds a sim |
uous course far down to the neighbor- |
hood of the Santa Clara ranch. This |
road most often clings to the bank of
the Santa Maria river but sometimes
Climbs to the heights of the adjoin-
ing mountains. Throughout its
length 1t is suitable for ordinary
wagon traffic and for the most part,
travellers say, heavy motor trucks
could traverse it. with occasional as
sistance. Always it is within easy
reach Of the river.
May Follow Cattle Trail.
The Santa Maria river, rising some
forty miles south of Cruces and flow
ing northward to Lake Santa Maria, d
distance of about 200 miles. is a shall
low stream. Cattlemen, driving their
herds from the upper valley have
used its bed as a highway for many
years back. Many of these men live
in Ell Paso. They point out that if
cattle can be driven down the Santa
Maria. cavalry horses can be driven
up it and that it is therefore a val
liable adjunct to the army searching
for the bandit Villa
Water Is Abundant.
This course further is suited to the
needs of an expeditionary force be-
cause it provides an abundant water
supply. Every II or Is miles along
its course, it is fed by large springs
which can quench the thirst of the
men. The horses can drink their fill
from the river.
If the army now is following the
route provided by the wagon road and
the Santa Maria and is proceeding
with the speed it went from Columbus
to Casas Grandes, a few days march
should bring athwart of the Baricora
lake region.
From Galeana to Ell Vale is about
thirty miles; from Ell Vale to Cruces,
about forty miles; and from Cruces
to Namiquipa some twenty miles more.
Country Well Defended.
Namiquipa, with a strong garrison,
/ is one link in the chain of defenses
which General Carranza has thrown
about southern and western Guerrero
of har
west is the Carranza garrison Of Ma
dera. North and west of MADEIRA
/ General Gutierrez claims he holds all
the passes leading into Sonora Dis
patches from Douglas quote General
p. Elias Gales, military governor of
Sonora, as saying that the forces in
eastern Sonora are being reinforced
constantly. 1t is pointed out here that
the most favorable place for Villa to
break through would be at some point
between MADEIRA and Namiquipa or
that he still has open to him flight
eastward to his old Businesses in the
region of Cruces.
! Believed Near Ell Vale.
! If General Pershing's troops fol-
low the route initiated in Columbus
and continued, according to the re-
ports received by General Gavira and
Colonel Bertani, through Casas Gran
des to Galeana, they must by this
time be in the neighborhood of, or
beyond, Ell Vale. A part of the way
south from Ell Vale the wagon road
is an old travelled road in the noun
tains where there are forests of scrub
oak and pine. In this region, the
Santa Marie is walled in by lofty can.
yOns and would be unsafe for cav
airy transit as huge boulders could be
toppled down on the passing troops
from above. However, the wagon
road passes over the mountains and
continues on to Cruces.
In army circles here it has been be-
lieved that Villa might try to keep on
to the south instead of stopping in
his old stamping grounds in the Cru
ces region. 1t was pointed out today
that in his retreat from Columbus, N.
NJ, he must have followed the course
of the Santa Maria for a part of the
: time, if the reports announced by
General Gavira are true. The latest
report, stating that Villa had left this
!. route at Ell Vale, marching south
west to the Babricora lake region, is
, regarded as significant, as is also the
: information that the attacker of Col
. umbus has forsaken 80 of his wound
ed. The Cruces region is but short
defiance north of Namiquipa, where
, strong Carranza detachments are ia
toned. A route to the west might Of
fer him a chance Of Guiding his pur-
suers.
Men Left at Casas Grandes!
That part of General Pershing's
men are still stationed near Casas
Grandes, also aroused comment.
1t is pointed out here, however, that
these troops may be infantry, lef!
behind by the superior marching
ability of the cavalry.
The Santa Maria valley offers good
opportunities for operating the ma.
chimes or the first aero squadron
eight Of which are under detail fol
Mexican duty. At Casas Grandes, E
Vale and Cruces there are stretches
Of level land that would permit land
ings and the start of new flights.