The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-08
Troops Prepared to Make Dash
if Bandits Appear.
Instructs Gen. CASTOR to TAKE
Charge Big Bend District.
WARNED BY De FACTO GOVT
Army Officers Believe Brigands
Bound for Durango.
Say Villa Doesn't Dare to Strike
Border Blow Now.

San Antonio, Tex, July Or Vi
more than two hundred miles east
ward from Ell Paso American troops
were being held in readiness TO-DAY 10
move to any point on the border thae
might be threatened by the newly or
ganized bandits in Chihuahua. TO the
west of Ell Paso an alert watch for de-
velopments south of the line was Kept
and officers commanding at all border
stations were prepared for news OF
advancing raiders.
Early morning reports to General
Funston added nothing, however, TO
the rumors of yesterday. most impor-
tant OF which was the warning from
the de facto government of Mexico,
itself. that bandits who defeated. Car
ranza's soldiers near Jiminez We're
thought to be moving northward to-
wards Ojinago, opposite Presidlo'
Texas.
Guard Big Bend Region.
Colonel CASTOR, commanding the
American forces in the Big Bend dis
tric. was authorized by General Fun
ston to make such disposition of his
troops as he deemed wise to present
Mexican bandits crossing the river. He
has at Preside and at stations east
and west of Presidio considerable
force, Lne his
own regiment and the Fourth in
fantry.
Although taking all precautions and
not minimizing the reports that Villa,
himself. is at the head of the new
organization of bandits, army Officers
today were not inclined to believe the
bandits would attempt any movement
in force towards the north, especially
if sled by villa. The opinion of army
officers generally was that the ban
4 +sw-fN
time in harrassing the Cara anza troops
south of Chihuahua and move north
and west towards Durango and south
ward to Chihuahua, old haunts OF
Villa.
Houn' Dog Regiment Arrives.
Fort Worth, Tex, July S.-The Sec
ond Missouri infantry has officially
adopted the famous "Houn Dog song
as the battle hymn of the regiment
To make it an illustrated song, they've
acquired the nournfullest long-eared-
est Missouri hound ever seen in these
parts as a mascot.
Carranza's Army Can't Stop Them.
El Paso. Tex, July S.-Villistas are
rushing toward the Big Bend country
to raid American towns, according to
information received here TODAY.
Sweeping across the Chihuahua
wastes from Falomir, toward La
Mula Pass, a bard of ViIlistas of un-
Known strength is reported to be
moving toward Ojinaga and the small
American settlements in the Big Bend
border country
The bandits are belit we'd to be the
SO me of whom Carranza warned Sec
retary Lansing. Carranza intimated
that his troops may not be able to
prevent the raiders striking the
American towns
Many Small Bands Join.
The Villistas left Falomir yesterday
The hand is being Joined by smaller
groups that have been operating in
that section. Many Carranza deserters
are reported to have Joined the raid
ers. According to the reports re-
ceived here. the Villistas are well
armed, have plenty of ammunition and
are we'll mounted.
Apparently by pre-concert, the vii
lista bands gathered at Falomir for
the movement northward toward La
Mula pass. Other small hands are
known to be at Picachas, Las Vegas
and along the southern slopes of the
Sierra Grandes. It is believed these
mountain groups will reinforce the
raiders at the pass.