The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-21
GAVE EN-
SLIP and
IN FLIGHT
Indications Villa Has Outwit-
ted Both Pursuing Forces.
Beaten in Battle, Bandit Makes
Good His Escape.
NO NEWS FROM GEN. PERSHIhG
DefactOs Clash With 1880 Out
law Band at Namiquipa.
Funston Believes c. s. Troop
ers Are Hot on Trail.
Beaten in Battle, Bandit Makes
Good His Escape.
NO NEWS FROM GEN. PERSHING
DefactOs Clash With 900 Out
law Band at Namiquipa.
Funston Believes G. S. Troop
ers Are Hot on Trail.

Ell Paso March 21.-Villa has
ESCAPED the Carranzistas and Ameri-
can pursuing columns. it was believed
here today.
Since the Carranzista force under
Colonel Cano was last night reported
to have engaged the Villistas near
Namiquipa no official word has come
from the battlefield. The American
forces reported closing in on villa
were also unheard from here.
That Villa has "given them the
slip'' was not certain, but authorita@
tive advices indicated that he had out
thanked both the Americans and Car
ranzistas. The bandits engaged just
east of NamiQuipa are now believed
to have been part of Villas 1900 men
who were recently reported in the
vicinity of Bochiniva. and San Geroni-
mo, Chihuahua Villa himself was
believed to be in another part or
Guerrero mountain, although ms ex-
act whereabouts apparently was un-
known to officials in Juarez and El
PaSo.
Fear Villas Influence.
Considerable apprehension was
shown over the announcement 1if
Juarez that communication with
points near Namiquipa, over the Mext-
co Northwestern line, had been cut
Before trace of Villa was lost it was
learned that Villa, instead of disband-
ing his followers, he was recruiting
troops in the districts he traverse
Suspicion also resulted from the pres
ence of large bodies of Carranzisfa
troops between Pershing's command
and the border. Villas influence on
the de facto generals in northern
Mexico was feared.
Chase Is on Now.
San Antonio, March 21.-So hot mas
become the pursuit of Francisco VIVA
through the mountains south of El
NoII PRFShInR
emily has left behind his wireless
equipment and dispensed with reports
to headquarters here. General Fun
ston today was absolutely without
word either from Casas Grandes or El
Vale Army officers here believe this
can only mean that General Pershlrtg
has found himself so close to the ny-
ing bandit that everything has been
subordinated to active pursuit. In
terest here is intense.
Word has been received of the puf-
chase last night and dispatch of two
special trains for Columbus of the Sec
ond consignment of 54 auto trucks re-
quested by General Funston yester-
day.
FL Paso, March 21-Further news
of the battle reported to have been
waged late yesterday near Nami-
uuipa between Carranza troops and a
force of bandits led by Villa, was i'm
patiently awaited along lne DOTcSI Nu-
day
If Villa has been able to break
through the Carranza line at Nami-
quipa the way is open for a flight into
northern Chihuahua or the bandit
leader can proceed eastward into the
Businesses of the high ranges. shutting
in the Namiquipa district.
Interest was shown in wireless dis
patches from the front stating that six
biplanes of the First aero squadron
commanded by Captain Benjamin D.
Foulois had Joined the American ex-
pedition. If Villa is proceeding in
considerable force. the airmen are
very likely to locate him. II he has
split up his command into small bands
and is keeping under the shelter of the
oak and pine woods that clothe the
sides of the mountains the task of the
aerial observers will become very diff
ficult.
Flyer Has Mishap.
The flying men also are expected to
pick out camping places, watering
spots and in some cases, pathways
over the mountains
No uneasiness is felt here regarding
Lieut.. w. G. Kilner, who left Colum-
bus in a seventh machine to go to the
front and did not arrive with the
others. If Lieutenant Kilner suffered
any mishap and was compelled to
alight he was almost certain to be
picked up at once by some outpost, II
was believed.