Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-19
CARRANZA MOVES
FORCE TO CUT OFF
PERSHING COLUMN
Mexicans Trying to Drive
Wedge Between American.
Troops, Report Says
NEW ARMY AT !. JUAREz

Ell PAso, June 1g-Uocai authorities re-
ceived Information that Cerranza cavalry
had left Villa Ahumada for El vale, whlch
Is between the American bases at Colonle
Dublan and Namiquipa. General Persning
was reported to have only about third OF
his forces below CoIonia Dublan, and the
Carranza move was interpreted to be In
preparation to cut Off their retreat. The
Namqulpa base has been strengthened by
planting field artillery on high bluffs COM
mandng miles of the surrounding country.
Coincident with this report came news
that General Venustlano Carranza, the First
Chief of the Provisional Government, and
his Minister of War are trying to equip
100000 Mexlcans for military service. They
already have heavy. forces at strategic
points In Chihuahua, Sonora and Coahuila.
The Mexicans further have the advantage
of knowing the mountainous country bet
ter than the Americans Serrano has the
reputation of knowing every inch of soil
In northern Mexico s.-
Citizens living in United States border
towns believe that hostilfties are imminent.
Private stores of arms, ammunition and
supplies are being placed at the disposal
of Major General Funston. Mexicans are
being watched closely to prevent them from
smuggling supplies over the border,
NEW TROOPS AT JUAREz.
Reports were current during the day that
fresh retnforcements Of Mexican troops had
arrived In Juarez last night, but the Mexi-
cans are finding themselves greatly en-
.barrassed through lack of railway facili-
ties for the shipment OF men and supplies.
They lack locomotives. cars and coal
Villa Ahumada, south of Juarez, has be-
come a great military camp
1t is estimated that there are about 5000
de facto troops there and 10000 more in
the intervening territory between Casas
Grandes and Villa Ahumada." " ,'
These trOODS are. said be we'll Rllnnlied
with guns and ammunition, and should hos.
tiltles begin they would be in position to
menace seriously Brgadier General Perish
ng's lines of communication. ,.
Although unconfrmed, it, is generally be-
lieved that General Carranza has sent an
ultimatum announcing that unless the
United States soldiers are withdrawn from
Mexican soil he will announce that state
of war exists bfletween Mexico and the
United States One report states that the
time limit is seven days; another, that 1t
is ten days. .'r' .''. a...r e
FEAR UPRISINGs.
1t is feared, however, that the American
hating generals in Carranza's army will not
have the patience to wait TO see If the diff
culties can be adjusted, but will set out to
start something forthwith.
General Pershing has sufficient stores to
last his troops for several weeks and there
is a feeling of supreme. confidence that he
can take care OF himself and his men.
There are now $500 troops in the Fort
Bliss garrison, but reinforcements are ex-
pected which will bring the complement
up to 5000 men or more. ~,
There is plenty of ammunition on hand
for both small arms and artillery.
Battery A, of the New Mexican State
Militia, and battalion of the Goth United
States Infantry. arrived in El Paso last
night to reinforce the troops stationed at
Fort Bliss.