The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1916-09-28
CHIHUAHUA CITY
HELD BY VILLA
Bandit Leader Held the Town
For Hours.
WON OVER PART OF GARRISON
Left unmolested With 1000 To 1890
Men and Carried of Much
Ammunitlon-General Bell
Sends Report.

Washington.-The most detailed 40
count yet received OF the fighting in
Chihuahua City, when villa celebrated
the Mexican independence Day by a
successful assault ON the Carranza gar
rison, reached the War Department
from Brig. Gen. George Bell. command
ing the FL Paso military district.
II asserts that villa personally led
the attacking forces; that he took and
held numerous important buildings in
the city for several hours; that he was
Joined by 1000 or more men OF the
Carranza garrison; that he retired,
promising to return soon, and that he
took with him large quantity OF cap
tured arms, ammunition and artillery.
General Bell in his report expresses
the opinion that the raid was COM
pletely successful and that villa ac-
complished even more than be said he
wonld. Trevino's personal guard de
serted him, II appears, and In the con-
fusion many government soldiers
we're killed by their own comrades.
Washington officials skeptieaI.
General Bells dispatch does not
show the source OF his information and
many officials believe his account OF
the incident Is founded on rumors
reaching the border, AS were various
stories which have been transmitted
by State Department agents. They
were inclined to believe for this reason
that the full truth OF what transpired
is not yet known.
Reports so far received are similar
only in that they show a fight did
occur on September 16 and that the
villa followers took the penitentiary
and some other buildings. They con-
fiict as to the part villa played, not
even agreeing that he was present
All reports received are being for
warded to New London for the infor-
nation OF the Mexican-American com
mission. 1t is regarded as probable
that an official version will be for
warded there soon by General Car
rama,
May Delay Agreement.
No Official would predict what effect
the incident may have on the negotia-
tions at New London, which embrace
General Carranza's request that
American troops be withdrawn from
Mexico II was deemed certain, how
ever, that no agreement could be
reached by the Commissioners until
1t was known precisely to what extent
the situation in Northern, Mexico had
been altered by the Chihuahua City
developments and until IL was made
clear what the Carranza Government
would do 10 cope with the new situa-
tion.
Many officers still believe that villa
is either dead or his power so
thoroughly broken that he could not
hope to re establish himself. General
Ptrshing expressed the latter opinion
In a report to the War Department
some weeks ago. and General Funs.
tons recommendation that the Ameri.
can troops be withdrawn is believed to
have been founded on that view. II
General Bells reports prove accurate,
however, and villa did appear in per
son at chihuahua, It is expected that
the fact will be established definitely
by witnesses whose evidence could be
accepted without question.
Not Likely To Involve Pershina.
II is thought unlikely that General
Pershing's forces will be involved in
any new lighting IN Mexico, even II
the most favorable account for villa
Of the chihuahua battle proves true.
The nearest American detachment is
more than 100 miles north OF Chihua-
hua, and the main body still farther
away. No matter what successes they
might achieve in surprise attacks upon
Carranza posts, the bandits are not ex.
pected to risk an attack upon the
Americans and the latter could not 60
out in pursuit OF the raider without
new orders from Washington