Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1916-03-21
Reported Engaged In Running
Fight With General
CanO's Forces
ALL COMMUNICATION
WITH FRONT IS CUT OFF
Absence Of News Leads Army
/. Men to Think Bandit Has
Escaped Trap
BY E. T. Conkle.

Omitted Press Staff Correspondent
FL Paso, Texas, Mar, 2l.-ColOnel
Dodd's swiftly moving cavalry is re-
ported today on forced march toward
Namiquipa to reinforce General CanO's
Carranzistas who are engaged in a
fierce running fight with Francisco
Villa and his followers.
Encircled by Carranzistas and Ameri-
cans, Villa is apparently desperately
trying to reach Santa Clara canyon in
the Guerrero mountains, 10 miles east
of Namiduipa. Absence of any news
from the battlefield since Juarez late
Yesterday received first word that Villa
was at bay led to fears that he might
have cut through the flying ring and
reached position Of temporary safety.
In order TO trap Villa if he escaped
the central American column, General
Pershing sent squadrons Of cavalry to-
ward Babricora and Carmen on either
side of Namiquipa. One of them should
be within striking distance of Villa to-
day or tomorrow.
Several aeroplanes accompanying the
expedition spent the night near Ascen-
eion, within few hours flight Of Nam
iquipa, possibly to assist the reinforce
ulthtS IN lucdtlhS Nilio'
No Details of Fight.
General Gavira said today he had no
further details Of the battle He urg-
emily requested information and NOM
entarily expects replies to his message.
Gavira pointed to the battle as 4 con-
crete denial of reports that Carranza
was disposed to let Villa get away, in
order to give him an equal chance with
the Amiricans.
Gavira intimated that the American
expedition had established its base OF
operations near Cases Grandes. Reports
that the garrison there was going to
Juarez was unconfrmed. Even If large
bodies Of Carranzistas placed them
selves between the American expedition
and the border, it was pointed out that
thousands of soldiers at Fort Bliss and
Columbus were ample protection
against the implied threat. There is no
sign of friction between de facto gov
ernment troops and Americans.
1t was reported that in return for
President Wilson'S aid at the battle OF
Aqua Prieta, Carran2a would permit
| the United States to use Mexican rail
roads for military purposes. There was
no confirmation of this from Queretaro,
the temporary capital.
More Troops Enter Mexico.
American troops are continuing to
march into Mexico from Columbus. The
number now pursuing Villa is upwards
of 1000.
At 9:l5 4. m. today General Gavira
said nc had not been advised of the
result of fighting at Namiquipa. An
atmosphere of suspense was noticeable
in FL Paso military and civil circles. A
belief was growing that the reported
engagement would not prove decisive
Asked if Villa had been killed or
captured, Vavira replied ono" to both
questions.
General Garcia visited Gavira 8 head
quarters at Juarez to learn how tha
battle came out. He was told that
communication with Namiquipa had
been cut off. Gavira said he did not
know where the break was, but as
serted IL was preventing the arrival OK
any news from the battlefield.
The train dispatcher of the Mexico
Northwestern railroad, located near
where the fight was reported as Oe-
curing, said he had received no word
since last night 1t is not ascertained
whether the wires have been cut or
whether Carranzista officials are with
holding information.