Evening star., 1916-04-14
REPORTED MORE SERIOUS
THAN CARRANZA VERSION
Cavalry Advance Guard, Which Met
Unexpected Attack, Now Said
to Be Near Villa.
10000 REGULARS ON BORDER
Hurried Movement of Soldiers Shows
That 4OO-Mile Line Of Communi-
cations Is Being Strength
ened for Emergency.

Ell PASO, Tex, April A.
There are unconhrmed reports
that the battle in Parral in which
detachment of 40 American
cavalrymen were attacked by
citizens, was more desperate than
indicated in the Mexican official
advices, and that it lasted for four
hours. One report had it that
more than 100 Mexican civilians
and Carranza soldiers were killed
and wounded and that one Amer
lean soldier was killed and sew
eral wounded. The Americans
were said to have used machine
gun in the battle.
The advance guard which met
the unexpected attack in Parral
probably has passed the Chi
huahua-Durango line, and now is
in a district where Villa has a
strong following.
1900 Regulars on Border.
More than 1900 United States regu-
lars are guarding the Mexican border
from Brownsville, Tex. to San Diego.
Cal, today while hurried troop move
ments southwark from Columbus, N. NJ,
show that the line OF communications
reaching over 400 miles into Mexico is
being rapidly strengthened to meet any
emergency.
American scouts are watching the Pull
pito pass, which leads from Sonora into
the Casas Grandes district Of Chihua-
hua state. for the appearance of Gen.
Arnulfo Gomez. commanding $500 Car
rama infantry and cavalry. Gen. Gomez
is awaiting orders from the Mexican
minister of war, Gen. Obregon, to meet in
Chihuahua for the announced purpose Of
taking up the pursuit of Villa. In the
event of trouble with the de facto gov
to strike the line Of American communi-
cations at Casas Grandes.
FL Paso and Juarez Are Quiet.
In spite of alarming rumors and con-
siderable apprehension which was ex-
pressed in some quarters. Ell Paso and
Juarez remain calm.
AS far as is apparent on the surface
today the Mexicans in both cities have
brought about through Gen. Carranza' g
request for the withdrawal of the
American troops from Mexico and the
clash between American troops and
civilians at Parral. The only notice
able excitement is among the Ameri-
cans.
At the same time the anti-American
agitators, who for weeks have been
spreading stories of the United States
intention to embark upon war of con-
quest, have not overlooked their oppor-
tunity.s Their first effort was the start
ing of story in JuareZ to the effect
that hundreds of people had been slain
in an attack upon Parral by American
soldiers and that the 'gringoes" had
| been defeated with great losses
Alarming Story Disproven.
mander. took speedy steps to crush this
story by posting in a prominent place
| Gen. Obregon's official account of the
Parral incident. The people accepted
the official version and what little ex.
citement had been created quickly sub.
| sided.
| The authorities here were so well
satisfied tnat there was no occasion for
alarm that nothing beyond the normal
precautions were taken to guard the
town during the night. Today rumors
of impending riots and revolutions
have given way to the intense interes,
| with which the developments in the
awaited. Even the popular amusement
of locating Villa has lost its charm
pending the result of President Will.
sons deliberation with his cabinet
villistas Attack Auto Supply Train.
GEN. PERsHING's CAMP AT FRONT
April 12, via aeroplane to Chihuahua
April 1s. via Ell Paso Junction, April a.
About forty mounted men. believed to
| be Villa soldiers Of Gen. Tarango's
command, attacked last night an auto
mobile supply train and were driven of
after short fight. There were nc
American casualties. One Villa bandit
was killed.
Gen. Pershing moved his camp south
yeterday, penetrating far into villa
territory, where he found numerous de
facto government detachments under
Gen. Cara, who gave the Americans a
| friendly greeting and cooperation
Aeroplanes were first to reach this new
| front Gen. Pershing Travelled here in
an automobile train of supply trucks
which made a record d-breaking trip.
The fight, which occurred about q
o'clock last night, was several miles
| in the rear Of the automobiles carrying
Gen, Pershing and his escort. 1t last
i ed about twenty minutes. When the
bandits who tried to capture one truck
came up the Americans poured in five
volleyA which ended the fight com
pletel There were two attacks. the