Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

Little was known here tonight as to
the strength of the American columns
or their mission. but it was assumed
that one might be a detachment sent
by Gen. Pershing to rescue the sur
vivors of the 10th Cavalry. engaged at
CarrizAl.
Army officers here also pointed out
that the column headed for OJo Cal
iente, about thirty miles southwest OF
Carrizal, probably is composed OF the
troops surviving the engagement there,
and the two squadrons OF the Ilth
Cavalry sent to reinforce them. Mex
lean authorities content themselves
with asserting that the strength or tne
commands dispatched to meet them Is
adequate. 1t is believed here that tne
American command adsancins ss;, IN ,iias nns
southeast of Namiqufpa, may DO IN
pursuit of bandits.
| While the lack of definite fnforma-
] ton beEets apprehension. military men
/ point out that Gen. Pershing. with
| Cen Treyfnos threats and the CarrizaI
fight before him, undoubtedly mas ia en
steps to protect detacnmenti;s narst;ona have
| been made to reinforce the American
columns IL necessary.
Carrfzal Fight Merely an Incident.
suggestion that the carrizal fight
was but an incident of what was
planned to be a general attack on the
American expeditionary command was
received here late today from zen.
Pershing's headquarters. The reports
pointed out that only the palpaoie
strenrtl, of the Americans deferred the
Carranza followers.
! Support is lent to this bel1e1 py tne
| redisposition early in the week OF an
CarranZa troops in western Cnlnuahud'
| Military authorities here who are m
11; tn MIA
reports pointed out that at that time
the semicircular line of the Mexicans,
| which had stretched around Gen. Per-
shing's command for some weeks, pe-
| gan to close in. ev1nclng Distinctly
| hostile attitude.
| However, Gen. Pershing redisposed
| his troops, offsetting the Carranza
| movement, presenting to them a COM
pact. prepared fighting unit. The ac-
cepted belief is that Mexican leaders
| realized they could not hope to cope
with the Americans under such circum
| stances, and abandoned the general
plan. Gen. Felix Gomez at CarrlZai,
however, in command of one section OF
the proposed advance, carried out what
| he believed to have been one of the
prearranged details.
Mexicans to Defend Juarez.
News from Juarez has caused well
informed Americans here to give up
the belief that Juarez, in event of a
break, would be evacuated without a
| fight. That Gen. Gonzales and his staff
are still in Juarez and the town garri-
son is being maintained. reports of
Mexican troop movements in the out
living districts and apparently increased
preca utionS on the American slde, are
cited as confirmatory OF the theory.
Further authentic information from
Juarez today indicated continued prep
aration, especially the departure OF
contingent of volunteers FOR the soutn; N
A train of eighteen cars. carrying loo
non-combatants, mostly women ana chill
dren. and some old men arrived today
under an infantry guard of twenty-five
soldiers from Chihuahua City. The pas
sengers crossed to the American SIDE,
apparently preferring to take their
chances here.
Two trains left Juarez. One OF hve
cars filled with provisions. and three
passenger coaches was bound Tor Casas
Grandes. The other consisted of thirty,
seven cars. and carried volunteers and
their baggage to Chihuahua CITY. TO go
into military training. A train bearinS
five American refugees from Parrai Is
said to have arrived In Juarez tonisht.
Continued rumors of the presence 81
Villa in this region have reached
United States authoyities. but have not
been generally credited. villa, wttnin
the last few days, has been reported TO
Florida.
Mexicans Recruiting Rapidly.
Reports of heavy concentration OF
Carranzista troops in all of the north
ern Mexican states have been received
at the border points. while recruiting
is said to be progressing rapidly. The
same reports indicate that number OF
former outlaw leaders and their COM
mands are joining Gen. Trevino's army
Of the north as a result Of Mexican
war departments offer of complete
amnesty to persons who have opposed
the government. provided they Join in
combating possible American In
vasion.
No perceptible exodus Of Mexicans from
Ell Paso and vicinity followed the publica-
ton today of Consul Garcia's advice to
his nationals to return to Mexico, mas
much as Americans continue to leave Mex
lean territory. On the other hand, during
the day a large number of Mexicans
crossed into the United States, asserting
they would feel more safe here in the
event Of hostflities
Local American customs officials today
were cooperating with the military au-