Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-03-17
.SNIPERS ATTACK
AMERICAN ARMY
INVADING MEXICO
Unofficial Reports Reaching Colum-
bus and Relayed to FL Paso Tell
of Guerilla Activity in
the Desert.
SIX OR SEVEN SOLDIERS HIT
Nothing to Show Which Column
Encounters These Bands of
Franotireurs.
AERoPIANEs ARE TRrE D OUT

COLUMBUS. N. NJ, March 16.--
(Via Mail to El Paso. while most
of the reports reaching here unoffi-
clally today from the Mexican border
indicated that the American troops
in Mexico were unmolested in their
advance there we're also reports that
n few snipers had been encountered.
There was nothing to show which OF
the American columns might have
encountered snipers.
According to these reports six or
SIX or seven nit.
seven soldiers of the American expe-
dition had been hit by snipers
Troop trains came in here during
the night and Columbus awoke today
to find the camp had grown consid-
erably In population since last eve
ming. A new lot of cavalry horses
was noticed. Great piles of supplies
in boxes and stacks of baled hay had
sprung up near the railway station.
Quartermaster wagons left constantly
over the road to the south during
the day
Planes Tried Out.
In a sagebrush plain off to the side
of the camp a number OF Reroplanes were
tried out. They had been set up since
their arrival yesterday and were tested
thoroughly today. One or two at a time
were in the air most OF the day. Curl
ously. although a flying machine had
never been seen here before yesterday
evening. today the residents Of Columbus
scarcely took the trouble TO look at them.
None OF the aviators has yet Joined the
advance column. so far az could be ascer-
tained here.
The strict military censorship of all
news on troop movement out of Columbus
has not yet been relaxed.
In willis Territory.
I1Is PAsO. Tex, March le.--The seventh
and Tenth cavalry. said TO be advancing
into Mexico by forced MARCHES from
Caiiberson's ranch near Hachita. n. NJ.
were nearing the villa territory In the
casas Grandes region tonight, according
20 the most reliable information which
could be obtained here.
These troops are reported to be march
ing with the minimum Of equipment and
20 be led by Mormon scouts from the
Mormon colony at Colonia Dublan and
Colonia Morales. From their point OF
departure the distance Ia eighty-five miles
to Casas Grandes and the start was made
early yesterday morning. II villa in
tends TO offer any organized resistance TO
HIS pursuers It might be possible for
United States soldiers to come IN contact
with his outlying posts very soon.
weather is Fine.
The American expedition is penetrating
Mexico under IDEAL weather conditions
The hot season will not be reached for
month or six weeks and if the windmill
wells which dot part OF the country
which the expedition is passing are not
dried up the water supply situation should
be relieved. Clear moonlight nighte make
Il possible TO see after dark for some dis
tance. Definite information that the Nor
mon settlements with their 800 American
men, women and children were safe and
unmolested was brought here today by
Daniel Hurst son OF p. II. Hurst. the
| Mormon bishop resident here: Mr.. Hurst
4 brought news understood 10 be OF much
military importance which was forwarded
TO General Pershing.
Mr.. Hurst refused to make public its
nature o. details.
According to Mr.. Hurst. villa has at
most 400 men. some OF whom are
wounded He said also that, 1t was not
believed I'm the Mormon colonies that the
bandit chief had more than 500 men with
him when he raided Columbus.
Remain Mystery.
What the intentions OF villa are "a
minis profound mystery today. Andre
Garcia. the caranza consul here. as
serted today that from information in
I his possession ne Was satisfied that villa
had dlsbanded most OF his men and in
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