Spray courier. (Spray, Or.) 1???-19??, 1916-03-16
16 PERSONS KILLED
United States Troopers Have Brisk
Engagement Few Miles South Of
Border. Villas Losses Big
and Capture Imminent.

outlawed Mexican badnit, raidcd Unit.
cd States territory Thursday. With
1900 men ho attacked Columbus, killed
at least 10 Americans and fred many
buildings before no was driven back
across the international border.
At least $50 troopers Of tho Thir-
teenth United States cavalry followed
the Villa band into Mexico. Reports
TO Colonel II. J. Slocum late In the day
said that Villa had made a stand five
miles south Of the border, where spir-
tied fighting ensued. In this engage
ment an unnamed private was killed
and Captain Adjutant George Williams
was wounded.
The small detachment Of troopers
under Majors Tompkins and Lindsey.
fighting dismounted, made deter
mined stand against the renewed Villa
attack and at last reports were holding
their ground.
The raid to American territory
proved costly 10 the bandit chieftain.
The bodies of IS Mexican bandits, in
cluding Pablo Lopez, second in COM
mand, had been gathered and buried
before noon and troopers reported an
undetermined number Of dead still ly-
ing In the brush.
II is estimated that Villa has lost
100 In killed and more than twice as
many wounded, including his losses in
the pursuit by the American troopers.
Led to the attack under the slogan.
death to the Americansl" Villas fol-
lowers fought with desperation. Just
before dawn they crept along bitches
skirting the United States cavalry
camp and rushed the sleeping town,
firing heavily.
The first volley brought American
troopers into almost instant action.
While portion Of the raiders engaged
the cavalrymen, others, detailed by the
bandit chieftain, began applying the
torch and shooting American civilians
who ventured from the buildings.
Lights in homes and public buildings
Immediately became targets for snip
ers posted at Villas direction. Other
bandits, creeping close to American
homes, enticed several civilians into
the open with English-spoken invita-
tions. Several fatalities are attributed
to this ruse.
Washington, d. c. - Washington
stands squarely behind Colonel Slocum
in sending his cavalrymen into Mexico
in pursuit of Francisco Villa and his
band Of outlaws who raided Columbus,
N. M, numbering American soldiers
and citizens and firing the town.
Secretary Lansing informed the de
facto government of Mexico through
Eliseo Arredondo, its ambassador des-
ignate here, that he trusted no objec-
tion would be made to the action of
the American troops, they having fol-
lowed what is known in military cir
cles as shot trail" No orders have
been issued for the return of the sold
iers, and it is not probable any will be
issued for the present.
Reports that the American troopers
were in action probably 15 miles south
Va thO DoAdCA oBaiioI idikSI |
force of bandits were heard with anx-
ious interest in official circles.
Five troops of cavalry crossed the
boundary early in the day. At late
hour 1t was not known officially just
where they were or just what account
they had given of themselves.
While no formal word of the policy
of the administration was given out, it
was reliably stated that free rein
would be given the army to catch the
bandits if possible. 1t was not consid-
cred in administration circles that
Colonel Slocum's act in any sense con-
stituted an invasion of Mexico, a pol
icy which the administration has op-
posed in the past and will continue to
oppose.
The State department at first had 4
planned to ask permission of the Car I
rama government to send troops across
the border in pursuit of the outlaw t
bandit. Then came official word that t
the cavalry already had crossed. Later s
Mr.. Arredondo called on Secretary q
Lansing, expressed regret for the Villa i
raid, and was informed Of the attitude c
of the United States. G