Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-04
Continued from rare One

Continued from PAGE One
from capture when his forces were beaten
In the fighting at San Geronimo ranch. in
the Guerrero district, last WEDNESDAY. The
Americans were close on "Pancho's' trail.
but were deceived by their Mexican guides
and were led along a rough and almost
impossible trail. In the meantime villa,
taking a shorter and much easier path,
got several miles beyond the point where
Colonel Dodd had hoped to catch him.
Nightfall forced the wearied Americans
to halt villa travelled all night and by
morning had successfully eluded his pur-
suers The Mexican guides, whose mis-
leading information had permitted his es-
cape, were sent TO the rear of the Ameri.
can column and are reported to be still
under arrest
Though the safety of Chihuahua city
was assured by the rapid pace of the
Americans when they again picked up
Villas trail, army officers in FL Paso
shook their heads in doubt when they
learned that the fugitive had reached the
neighborhood Of Satevo About this adobe
village on the Rio San Pedro cluster
mountains, forming as rugged and treach-
erous a bit of country as ever sheltered n
band of cutthroats. In the hills along
the San Pedro and its continents regt-
ment might he securely hidden away, ana
frontiersmen declare that Villa ana nus
followers may rest there in security in
definitely.
In pressing forward in pursuit Of villa
the American troops are exposed TO flank
attacks from the various bands into
which the bandits force was divided fol-
lowing the defeat at San Geronimo. The
aeropane scouts with General Pershings
expedition may be able to prevent any
surprise, but in the thick woods the ban
dts might escape the eyes of the military
observers high in the air.
RUsE TO ESCAPE.
villa tricked his American pursuers
and left them far behind. 1t is believed
that the statement of his wound was care
fully planned to- cause the dispersal of the
troops into the hills while he made his
way farther south to join his allies.
It is said lie has with him only eight
men as a personal guard. and that he
is unwounded. If this information is CDR
rect, 1t bears OUT previous reports that
the bandit chief is headed toward Par
raj and is leading his American pursuers
by at least 60 miles, for San Antonio is
that distance to the northwest.
The man who brought the story of
Villas arrival at Satevo here gave cir
cumstantial account of the bandits ma
neuvers and plan of campaign. This
mans credibiity is vouched for by reputa-
bic American business meh here who have
employed him for several years.
TRICKED HIS PURSuERs,
"yilla" he said, has never taken part
in any fighting with either American or
Carranza troops. He left the main body
of his troops in the Guerrero district with
orders to oppose as far as they could the
American advance At the same time the
peons were instructed to give information
: freely to American officers, always pro-
vided that the information was false.
'"The story of Villa being wounded was
carefully concocted for the express pur-
pose of misleading General Pershing and
Colonel Dodd into the belief that the ban
dit was in hiding in the mountains and
thereby inducing them to split their
forces into small searching parties who
would waste their time in the wild Ser-
ras, while villa was making his way
safely southwark
''rhe American officers were fooled at
first, but they have a fair knowledge of
the real situation now and the advance
column is driving southeast with all the
speed they can command. Their only
chance of catching up with Villa is that
they have a good road and should not be
handicapped by the big problem of forage
and water.
THE trail from San Antonio to Satevo
leads through n broad valley where there
is generally plenty Of water at this time
of the year. and which is fairly fertile and
well cultivated.
"If>they can catch up with Villa before
he gets into the Torreon district, they
ought to be able to kill or capture him.
but If he is able to join forces with
Canuto Reyes, they will have 4 difficult
task ahead of them"
CONSTANT SKIRAIISHES.
Small clashes between fleeing Villstas
and American or Carranza detachments
arc of almost continuous occurrence. it is
stated in official reports received by the
de facto Governments agencies here
The pursuers are in almost hourly con.
tact with some members of the brigands
have already taken many prisoners, and
are running the remainder to earth as
fast as their horses give out.
MANN n ono EtUNtrD