New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-30
Villas Fast Growing
Forces Marching on
Chihuahua.
AMERICAN TROOPS
DAY BEHIND HIM
Bandit Escapes from Santa
Catarina Canyon to
Santo Tomas.
,r.... s..- co--..rora.n, c, III. tribunal

-r..- ST. co--.-po-d.nt e Tbs Trihunsl
Ell Paso, Tex, March 29.-Emerg-
ing from Santa Catarina Canyon,
which he had entered TO elude Amer
iran pursuit. Francisco Villa and his
hand today were at SAINT Tomas,
hsN way between MADEIRA and Chi
huahus City.
Pursuing Villa. but fully a day
behind him, are the columns Of Gen
eral Pershing and Colonel Dodd. To
prevent pursuit over the Mexico
Northwestern Railroad. along which
he is fleeing, Villa is burning all
bridges behind him.
villa entered Santa Catarina canyon
from the Santa Maria Valley, but Is
believed 20 have resorted 10 ruse
snd TO have left the canyon stealthily,
s1peeting the American pursuers 20
believe him passing through it. As he
Is rushing through tho hill country
toward chihuahua City. Villa Is gath
trng his followers together again, the
scattered bands, evidently by Villas
direction, having moved into his path
to rejoin him.
villa IN Friendly Country.
Whether Villas design Is 10 make
quick assault upon the city Of Chi
huahus 70 secure what loot he can, ard
then Try 10 escape 70 the south over
the Mexican Central line, or will turn
westward in an effort 10 confuse Gen
,rsl Perzhing By doubling back, is
problem that is pulling Americans TO
hight
In a friendly country, where the ma
tyss are all aiding him and are try
ing a. best they can 70 handicap
American pursuit, villa has 8 decided
advantage. That he is very closely
pressed az times by the American cav
siry appears beyond doubt Al times
the Americans, ~ IL believed, have
beer almost within striking distance
o. the bandits, when suddenly Nllls
,nd his men would disappear into some
Gnsuspected canyon.
No longer sre the American forces
compelled 20 depend upon Mexican in
formation concerning the movements of
Villa. Information tonight Is 10 the
eject that American scouts have got
upon Villas trail and have followed
him through mountain passes and over
bills and through valleys until they
have determined beyond reasonable
doubt that Villa already Is through
Santa Cstsrins canyon.
Capture Believed Nearer.
Tonight It is believed here that
Villas capture Is now nearer accom-
phshment than has been indicated in
sny o. tho sdvices received from the
base of American operations in Mexico.
Il is gwen out that both General Perish
ihg and Colonel Dodd are pursuing
Villa With selected cavslrymen and that
American scouts have followed Villa
INTO the valley, but have found II difh-
cult 70 secure information from the
hiiges, Who appear 20 be trying TO
SHIELD tho bandits.
Villa, q il said, has only a small
iofcs With him. and evidently IS bent
upon making his personal escape with
'gi regard % his followers.
The district In which the advanced
columns % American troops are now
operating n impossible OF access to
m'tor truck. and supplies are being
sent from the advanced base near Ma
'sfa o. army pack mules. These can
hsgotiate the difficult mountain trails.
Already several hundred mules are be
ihz used. and an additional 40 were
..tnt from Columbus to-day. IL Is said
~ mules are being purchased IN Mis-
f,,Nfi and are expected 20 reach tne
Ntxiean base within few days. The
rules after reaching the border are
riytn rest, with extra rstions, 20 put
Msfn IN good shape for taking the deb
~ tnp. A. evidence that the mules
are standing up well under the STRAIN
y ls announced that only seven nave
e'sd since crossing into Mexico.