Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-24

gun between CarranZa and American
forces at Satevo.
According TO the police here the in
formation came from influential
sources in Juarez The police believe
the report to be true. 1t was stated
that several negro soldiers had been
killed in the fight.
At Fort Bliss nothing had been
heard of the reported clash at Satevo.
An immediate investigation was
started.
Small Bands Causing Trouble.
Anxiety expressed in the news Of re-
newed activity OF the numerous small
bands of bandits who are rowing about
northern Chihuahua.
In the mysterious manner in which
news is transmitted in Mexico, in reg
ions where there are neither rail
roads, telegraphs or telephones, the
poems have heard that the American
troops are to be withdrawn from Mex
leo. The hating of the operations of
the expeditionary force has confirmed
their belief in the truth of the story
which they have interpreted as a
crushing defeat of the "gringoes"
AS far as is known here none of
these bands number more than Is or
/ 20 men and the majority of them are
much smaller. Their importance. as
seen by army officers, is that their
| depredations will drive the masses of
/ the people. already almost destitute,
! to desperation and serious outbreak
will occur which will involve the
American soldiers.
News Welcomed at Border.
FL Paso waited eagerly today for
some enlightenment from Washington
as to the plans of the army depart
ment. So far as the border is con-
cerned the news that the troops were
not to be withdrawn from Mexico, at
least for the present, was most well
come but there was considerable spec
ulation as to what yesterdays an
Inouncement from Washington really
meant.
An American who is considered one
of the best authorities in Ell Paso on
Mexico and the Mexicans, expressed
the opinion today that a campaign of
comparative inaction might prove
very effective in the long run.
IF the main body of the troops can
be utilized for the support of mobile
detachments, held merely for the pur-
pose of running down rumors, Villa
will be caught ultimately" he said.
For the time being the bandit seems
to have disappeared. Sooner or later,
though, he will reappear."
New Clothes Sent to Soldiers.
One question bothering the military
authorities has been the rehabilitating
of those troops whose clothes have
ben worn to shreds in their strenuous
rides after Villa. Two carloads of
clothing have been sent south, via Co
lumbus, however, and these have been
fianked by a shipment of 5000 pairs of
shoes, 10000 pairs Of hose, 1000 over
shirts and 1000 pairs of gloves, sent
to Columbus to be forwarded as need
led. 1t will be only short time until
, all the men in need Of new clothing
will be entirely reoutfitted.
Field Headquarters in Mexico April
q, by aeroplane to Columbus, n NJ
April 24.-Delivery Of one plug of to-
bacco from an aeroplane for a second
lieutenant in patrol out In the hills
a few days ago was mistaken by the
command for the arrival of official or
ders. The aeroplane did not stop al
the post which the patrol was holding
but as it flew over along one Of the
regular aero routes above this patrol
the plug of tobacco was tossed out
with yard long strip of white cloth
attached to make its descent conspic-
; uous. The officer in charge of the
command ordered out a detail Of
, mounted men which IN regular forma,
: ton, surrounded the white object
Then an orderly was detailed to go in
and pick up the valuable message. II
, is not known here who got the plug
. A Villista, wounded in one of the
fights with American troops and
brought here for medical attention
died, his burial taking place yester-
day.
Negroes Compose Song.
A marching song has been com.
posed by negro cayalrymen who have
seen hard service in the Villa chase
The lines follow:
TITS long way to America,
It's long way to 60,
It's long way to America,
To the sweetest girl l know.
Goodbye Fort Huacha,
, Farewell to Douglas town.
, For we are way down here in Mexico
And We are going to run Villa down
Over the hills of Casas Grandes,
Through the trail of the lonesome pine
, Over the hills Of Casas Grandes,
They are very hard to climb.
But we are way down here in Mexico
!, And We have done run Villa down"
, Mexican Mayor Suicides.
Columbus. y NJ, April PA story
, Of the suicide Of the mayor Of Mex
: lean village, who chose death at his
own hands in preference to living as
!, an American hostage, was brought
here today by widely known Amer
} lean returning from business trip
in Mexico. The story, dramatic in its
details. was verified, he said, by sew
eral expeditionary officers who re-
gard the attitude of the Mexican as
tvplcal of that OF some of the more