The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-19
Is Strengthened by De Facto
DeserterS and Munitions.
Easily Evades Pursuers in
Mountain FastneSs.
PREPARE JUAREz FOR ATTACK
Garry Six Auto Loads of Ammu-
milton From Arsenal.
Legalistas Raiding, Spread
Terror i'm San Luis POtOSi.

Ell Paso. Texas, Sept. 19.-With six
automobile loads of ammunition cap
tuI =. from the arsenal in the attack
on Chihuahua city Saturday. and with
more than a thousand recruits from
the Carranza ranks added to his
forces. Pancho Villa today is reported
fleeing back into the Businesses OF
Santa Clara canyon. entering it by the
east mouth. De facto government
troops from Chihuahua abandoned the
chase of the Fox of the Sierras.'' In
the meantime new troops from Monte
rey and other points south are being
rushed nortN to take up the trail of
the bandits General Trevino. Car
rama commander at Chihuahua city,
fears to use the men recruited from
northern Mexico against Villa. they
invariably desert him at the first OPP
portunity.
Military men here do not underesti-
mate the Importance of Villas attack
on Chihuahua city, and declare that
all northern Mexico is now at the
mercy of the bandit leader. They
| point out that the city is the strong
| est military fortress in the north, and
| that it was defended by heavy artillery
and garrison of 1000 men.
Carries Out Threat.
| Despite this strength. Villa, after
| openly boasting he would attack the
| city Independence day, made good his
prisoners and withdrew. carrying
away ammunition and supplies and
taking with him more than thou-
sand deserters from the Carranza gar
rison. Scores of the refugees from
chihuahua city arrived in Juarez last
night. bringing first-hand accounts of
the attack. Only two civilian resi-
dents of the city were injured. and
none of the few American residents
i In the carly fighting the Villistas
herded all civilians who appeared en-
the streets into a vacant building and
\ kept them inside while the fighting
was in progress. All incoming refu-
gees from the south declare that a
large number of de facto troops de-
serted and marched away with Villa
with their arms and ammunition.
Before beginning the retreat, six
automobiles. commandeered by the
bandits. were backed up to the arse
nal and loaded with ammunition.
Four hundred Carranza fnutineers
guarded them on the march out. Most
of the 1 200 political prisoners in the
prison were released by the Villistas.
General Gonzales has reinforced the
Juarez garrison with men and artil-
lery. The Carranza officials frankly
| admit their fears of an attack upon
Juarez by Villas forces.
Bandits Spread Terror.
| Laredo. Tex, Sept. 19.-According
to information brought to Laredo by
| passengers arriving from Mexico to-
night, veritable reign of terror ex-
lists in the state of San Luis Potosi,
and extends over a wide area in that
section. this condition being brought
about by operations of a bandit gang
calling themselves "Legalistas" Viz
lagos have been raided and looted and
many persons killed by the bandits in
the past few days.
General Davila, governor of San
Luis Potosi, was called to Mexico City
to fill a portfolio in the Carranza cab
met several days ago, but his train
was held up and all the officers of his
staff killed. Davila, dressed as a CT
william. leaped from the train when 1t
halted and escaped to the brush.