Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-04-04
OODD'S CAVALRY
ONLY 20 MILES
BEHIND VILLA
Fleeing Brigand Was Elk
pected to Reach Sapevo
Last Night.
AMERICANS SAVE
CHIHUAHUA CITY
Presence Of United States Troops at
San Andres. 40 Miles from Chihua.
hua City, Causes villa to Re-
frain from Attacking.

Ell Paso, April 3.-Francisco Villa is
expected to reach Sapevo, 40 miles due
south of Chihuahua City. tonight. He
is being pursued by a detachment OF
United States cavalry, which is bellev-
ed to be less than 20 miles to the rear.
Shortly after this information was
received today by representatives OF
the government, General Gavira, the
Carranza commander at Juareh, de-
clared all lines Of communication mad
been cut.
Villas plan to take Chihuahua was
interrupted on Saturday night: lie
was then at San Andres, Just 40 miles
west of the capital. Ne learned that
part of Col. Dodd's column was at
San Antonio, just 80 miles further
back on the northwestern road, ana
made hurried departure.
In an effort to again mislead the
American forces, Villa divided the
force of several hundred men In his
command into small bands. He rs de-
clared to have taken a personal escort
of only eight men with him.
The railroad operator at san
Andres is said to have been killed,
to make certain he would not give IN
formation when the pursuing column
| reached that far south. Scouts were
also sent back along the railroad be-
tween San Andres and San Antonio,
to burn as many bridges as possible,
through fear that the Americans were
making use of the line.
c,,1,
along the Northwestern was not inter-
| runted until today is not explained.
| General Gutierrez, who holds tne
title of generalissimo of the troons IN
chihuahua. claims to have verlhed the
renort that Villa is wounded in the
LEG. Senator A. B. Fall of New Next
co. who is operating a secret service
of his own from FL Paso, reports that
Villa has not been disabled in any
way.
lust how far the American forces
can follow Villa in the direction OF
his next objective point, without sun
plies. is a matter OF speculation.
sapevo is about 1870 miles southeast,
ac the crow flies from Namiquipa, or
$50 miles if the beaten trails are fol-
lowed. 1t is fully 400 miles south OF
! Columbus. Only few supplies nave
been sent to the Namiquipa base as
yet
The cavalry columns which are
commanded by Col Dodd have been
marching through deep snow Tor q
week.
| 1t is reported officially that tn
| Carranza army is moving northward
from the Torreon strict. in the di-
lection of chihuahua. Whether or
not these Forces intend to cooperate
in the effort to catch Villa is another
matter for speculation.
The troops are being brought north
On the National railways, which run
via Santa Rosalia. This point is
| many m les to the east OF Sapevo. AS
result. other Carranza forces will
not be in the way of Villas flight
southwark, unless They diverge from
the railroad.
General Funston and the war de-
partment officials have been advised
of the movement of Carranza troops.
Since report is becoming persistent
that Carranza sold ers in Sonora are
opposed to the American expedition
and are moving in The direction Of the
Chihuahua state line, is feared
that an effort will be made to cut tn
line of communication south of Co.
lumbuS.