The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1916-10-26
ARE BACKING
VILLA TO WIN
New Revolutionary Party Of
Mexicans Has Been Formed
to Accomplish Down
fall of Carranza.
JUNTA IN Ell PAsO
Men Who Were Driven Out Of the
Country, Have Money to
Spend On Bandits
Army.
JUNTA IN Ell PAso
by Webb Miller, United Press STAFF
COrreSnQndent

by Webb Miller, United Press Stafl
Correspondent
Ell PASO, Texas, Oct. 26.-Emissa
r1es from Pancho Villa have been In
this city in conference with members
OF the junta Of the new Mexican revol
utionary party of legalistas, according
to reports of the United States depart
ment agents here. At least one Villista
Is known to have come overland on
horseback, crossing the Rio Grande
river below Juarez
At this meeting, the United States
authorities believe. an agreement has
been perfected for the bandit leader
to act as commander in chief of field
forces under the direction Of the junta
of the new movement. Several United
States secret service men have already
reported that such an agreement is
now in effect. In return the legalistas
are to furnish money in order that the
army can be paid in silver.
The new revolutionary party, In its
official newspaper here, Ell Legalista,
avows that the object of its formation
Is to accomplish the downfall of De
Facto President Carranza Some
members known to the authorities here
are wealthy former land owners in the
southern republic, driven out of the
country by the new regime and their
property conflscated Some of these
members are still wealthy and able to
furnish financial backing for the new
movement
Department agents here have under
surveillance an American fllibuster,
formerly with Villa, who is suspected
OF having taken medical and surgical
supplies to Villa lately.
Villas main forces today are con-
tinuing their 1eisurely retiring move
ment westward in the Santa Ysabel
district, carrying great quantity OF
equipment and supplies, according to
incoming natives leaving chihuahua
City yesterday, interviewed by Unit
ed States government agents today.
Desultory skirmishing by the SLOW
ly retiring villista rear guard and the
detachments sent out by General
Trevino, was in progress late yester-
day, but refugees believe the pursuit
a half hearted one, the Carranzistas
dreading another villa trap.
Withdrawal from the vicinity OF
Chihuahua City by Villa is looked up
on by U. s. authorities here as part
Of strategic plan.
HE realizes said one official, who
acted as military observer during VII
las former campaign, "that the city
would be untenable at present, hav-
ing captured plenty of supplies. there
was no need of another raid even
though Villa had reached the out
skirts of the city. So he draws back
into his old stamping ground and will
force Carranzistas to come to him
in his own stronghold. Another rea-
son is Villa fears to attempt to hold
the city because of the nearness OF
the Pershing expedition
Beasts that he would control the
entire state Of Chihuahua month
after the American expedition leaves
have been made by the bandit chief.
To Stay All Winter.
COLUMBUS, N. NJ, Oct. 26.-Prep-
arations for an all winter stay of
the American expeditionary forces in