The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-09-22
FUNSTON BELIEVES
VILLA VICTORIOUS
Places Full Credence On Report Sent to
the War Department by Briga-
der General Bell.

San Antonio, Tex, Sept. 22.-General
Funston said to-day that he placed full
credence in the report of Villas attack
on Chihuahua City, sent to the war de-
partment by Brigadier General Bell Civ
en- out Yesterday. He said he had been
informed that General Bells information
was gained from reliable persons who
had come to FL Paso directly from Chi
huahua City Immediately after the bat
tie.
Washington, d. c., Sept. 22The most
detailed account yet received OF the
fight at Chihuahua City last Saturday
when Francisco Villa celebrated Mex
lean Independence day by successful
assault on the Carranza garrison, reached
the war department yesterday from
Brigadier General George Bell, command
ing the Ell Paso military district. 1t as
serts that Villa personally led the at
tack; that Villa took and held numer-
GUS important buildings for several
hours; that he was joined by a thous-
and or more men OF the Carranza gar
rison and retired promising to return
soon, and that he took with him large
quantity of captured arms, ammunition
and artillery
General Bells dispatch does not show
the source of his information and many
officials believe it was founded on bor-
der rumors Reports received previous
ly conhicted as to the part Villa played,
not even agreeing that he was present.
No official would predict the effect the
incident might have on the negotiations
at New London. 1t was deemed certain,
however, that no agreement could be
reached there until it was made clear
what the Carranza government would
do to cope with the new situation. Many
army officers still believe Villa either
is dead or his power so thoroughly brok
EN- that he can not hope to re-establish
himself. General Funston's recommen
daton that American troops be with
drawn is believed to have been founded
on that view. If Villa did appear in
person at Chihuahua it is expected the
fact will be established definitely.
1t is thought unlikely that Pershing's
forces will be involved in new fighting
in Mexico, even if the most favorable
account for Villa of the Chihuahua bat
tie proves true. The nearest American
detachment is more than 100 miles north
of Chihuahua. No matter what sue
cesses they might achieve in surprise at
tacks on Carranza posts, the bandits
are not expected to risk an attack upon
the Americans and the Americans could
not go in pursuit of the raiders with
out new orders from Washington.
General Bells report says the bandit
chief captured some of Carranza's ar
tillery at Chihuahua and l6 automobile
loads of arms and ammunition, liberated
200 prisoners from the penitentiary and
made off after being joined by from
900 to l,JOO soldiers of the Carranza
garrison.
According to General Bells informa-
tion Villa himself went to the Cover
nor's palace and made speech from the
balcony after his forces had captured
the palace, the penitentisry and federal
buildings.
The report reveals letter to General
Sept. IL, Villa sent letter to General
Trevino. commander at Chihuahua, say
ing he would he in the city at $3.50 p.
m. Saturday to shake hands"
General Bell expressed the opinion
that the raid was completely successful
and that Villa accomplished even more
than he said he would. Trevino's per
sonsl guard deserted him il appears and
in the confusion many government sol
diers we're killed by their own CON-
radeS-