Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-21
tBy Assooiated Press

Ell PASO, March lS.-The first
phase of the American expedition into
Mexico-the rush along Villas dim trail
to the endangered Mormon colonies, was
an accomplished fact tonight-completed
according to reports reahing the Column.
bus base. without firing of 4 hostile shot
by the Americans. ......
The second phase already was begin.
ming, it was indicated here, as the
Americans turned somewhere from
Cases Grandes to resume their nigh
marches under the brilliant Mexican
moonlight toward the rough mountain
slopes where it is known Francisco Villa
already has preceded, them with more
than 100 miles start. 49," ~. ....
Warming that this second act in tn,
chase might not pass without fghtiEt
against ba3dits was implied in a new an,
more stringent censorship imposed o.
Columbus. Further leakage of military
news, the censor said frankly TO the
American press, would be likely to cos
soldiers lives
TWO TROUPERS IN TROUBLE. ,
There was brief excitement at Column
bus From across the hot, dusty Next
can border two cavalrymen on stretcherS
were brought anto the Amcrian amp
Excitement passed when it was learned
that one had been thrown from his horse
iniuring his leg, while the other was
found to be suffering from well known
form of stomach ache.
Dawn showed the long lines of cavalry
horses Just outside COlonia Dublan, theil
troopers Disappointed and in camp al
rest.
Villa was located today with some de-
gree of definiteness, if weight of evil
dence counts in pinning down his rapid
shifts. From several sources constltu-
tionalists received messages all OF which
placed him in approximately the same
portion of western Chihuahua. -.-
These dispatches had him nearly due
south of the American columns pres
ent known positions and close to the
Sierra Tarrahumare mountains, so close
to them in fact, that if his reputation
as a fox holds good during the Amerl-
can chase he should be able to make
a puzzIing DISAPPEARANCE in these ranges
with a few hours hard riding.
100 MILES AHEAD.
Nv ALI accounts he is more than 100
miles ahead of the Americans, about the
same distance he has been out Of their
rea CHI for a week, but with one possibly
importanI difference, that while hereto
fore the Americans have been riding on
n somewhat cold trail they are now
nearing ground which Villa very recently
passed over.
The story that Villa is gathering men
and preparing to resist was revived IN
constitutionalist circles today and he
was even said to have ten million rounds
IF cartridges and shells, many of home
manufacture, secreted in the mountains
where he was expected to make stand.
Doubt that Villa would do any sucn
thing was expressed, however, by An
dreus Garcia, the Mexican consul here,
who claimed that Villa intends to make
the American expeditionary force joke.
Mr. Garcia declared he was convinced
the bandit had no intention of fighting
Americans.
zone of my men," he said, who re-
turned from the Galeana district today,
brought me positive information that
villa was disbanding his men and in
tended to hide in the mountains with
three or four of. his trusted followers
and defy the Americans to find him. An
army might wander in that region for
wears and never find a man like Nllla'
who knows every foot of the ground.
Il am convinced that Villa intends To
play hide and seek with the American
soldiers, with the intention of making
their expedition ridiculous. He may
make raids on lines of communication
or something like that, but he Will
never risk a real battle"
The rewards which have been offered