The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-24
Assisted by Five Columns of
CarranZa'S Soldiers.
Will Not Be Able to Escape,
Says Telegram Today.
BANDITS LOCATED AT Ell 0S0
e. s. Boys in Thick of Fray, Is
Ell PasO Report. e
Americans Headed On Bandits
by Using Railroad.

Douglas, March 24.-General
Elias Gales, military governor of
Sonora received telegram to-
day from General Enriquez, mili-
tary governor of Chihuahua,
stating that five columns of Car
rama troops were closing in on
Villa and his bandits near Mama
quipa and that with the aid of
the Americans it was believed
that Villa would not be able to
escape.
Governor Enriquez also telegraphed
that the reports concerning the revolt
of General Herrera were false and an
effort by the Radicals" to cause
trouble between the Carranza govern
ment and the United States.
Credit New Report.
Ell Paso March 24.-At Fort Bliss
and in other well informed circles the
report that Villa had been definitely
located at Ell Oso was generally credit
ed. 1t was pointed out, however, that
this did not necessarily indicate the
bandits early capture, and as the
character of the country would aid
him in escaping if he wished to break
up his command and avoid an actual
|
Denial Relief.
San Antonio, March 24.-Evident
\ relief was manifest at General Fun
ston's headquarters today when it was
! learned that Consul Letcher had sent
| to the state department from Chihua-
hua a denial of the reported revolt of
| General Luis Herrera.
Previous reports that had reached
/ his headquarters had been contra
dictory that it was impossible to ac-
cept as beyond question either con-
firmation or denial of the rumors that
Herrera had added 1000 men to the
force now opposing General Pershing,
| A request from General PershinE
| for additional signal corps men for
service along the main line of COM
| munication was received today but no
report of his operation south of Casas
| Grandes.
Funston Not Informed.
Regarding the report from Mexican
| sources that Villa had been engaged
by American and Mexican troops near
Santa Gertrudes and that decisive
fight at Eloso, five miles south OF
Namaquipa, was imminent, General
Funston professed to have no infor-
nation.
Company I of the signal corps has
been sent from FL Paso for service
south of Columbus.
Ell Paso, March 24.-Villa is sur
rounded and may be engaged by
American troops today. according to
a message from Colonel Francisco
Bertani. He said that if his column
had routed Villas forces just east OF
Namiquipa in the Santa Clara Lan-
yon, the Villistas were surrounded by
the victors and by United States rol-
diers under Brigadier General Persh-
ing.
Carranzista Consul Garcia, who
made public Bertanis report, stated
haf
Villa cutting his way out and that his
capture was momentarily expected.
Consul Garcia, shortly before
a. m. today said he had not received
said the fighting with villa would
start at daybreak.
Fort Bliss authorities said they had
no word from Pershing to lndlcate
that Villa was surrounded.
Never Take Him Alive.
Those familiar with Villas tactics
and his hatred for Americans believe
he will never be taken alive and that
his entire command may be wiped out
in the predicted fight
Garcia said Villa might try to cut
his way out by a surprise attack dur
| ing the night. Bertani reported that,
in the preliminary engagement the
Villstas retreated to FL Oso, miles
south of Namiquipa after losing sew
eral killed and about 100 horses cap
tured. The American troops in touch
with the CarranZiStas surrounding
Villa wre believed to be either Colonel
Dodds column or Pershings men who
got behind Villa by a railroad trip
from Casas Grandes southwark.
Held Up Train.
This report of Villas whereabouts
did not exactly fit with the story
brought by Garcia Flores, reputable
Spanish business man of Chihuahua
City, who said on his arrival in Ell
Paso that Villa held up a Mexico Ma
tional train at MocteZuma. nearly 100
miles east of Namiquipa, Wednesday.
Villa and 2, 900 followers were seek
ing American passengers to kill. said
Flores. He was positive that it was
Continued on Page Six.)