Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-04
i PaSO Says Villa Has
Probably Escaped the Net


Ell PASo. April 3.-Francisco villa
has again become the man of mystery.
Almost within the grasp of the AMER
lean cavalry, after the battle of Guer-
zero. the bandit was reported today to
have slipped through the net closing
about him and to have covered the trail
of his flight. Mexican officials in
Juarez sought information of the brig
and's whereabouts. but the telegraph
wires brought no definite word.
Mexican reports had il that Villa and
another band of followers were moving
on Chihuahua City to persuade the gar
rison there to revolt and join him
against the Americans. These reports,
brought here by travellers, were secuted
by Mexican Consul Garcia
While the bandits main command
was scattered at the battle of Guer-
zero, il is believed here that Villa has
several other large bodies disposed at
convenient positions in the continental
divide, and that Colonel Dodd and his
American troops may come in contact
with them at any time. While the
search for Villa continues Colonel Dodd
will seek to destroy armed bodies OF
Villa forces which are a constant mena
ace to the line of American communities
tions.
There is no light on the recent opera
tions of the CarranZa forces against
the Villa bands. General Bertani has
sent no report to the Juarez headquar-
ters and what assistance the troops Of
tn de facto government is giving Gen4
eral Pershing is not known.
SUPPLIES START
Traffic over the Mexico Northwestern
railway is becoming more active since
the advent of the American expedi-
tionary forces in the Casas Grandes and
MADEIRA districts.
A freight train arrived from Casas
Grandes today and later mixed pas
sanger and freight train started out
for Pearson, thirty miles south Of Casas
Grandes. Two carloads of oats and two
carloads of express merchandise shipped
by private parties, but expected event.
ually to reach the army, made up the
freight consignment. The passengers
included many Americans returning to-
the interior who fled to the border after
the Columbus massacre.
The absence of any official news from
the front since the defeat Of the Villa
band near Guerrero by Colonel Dodd
last Wednesday, has considerably dash<
ed the hopes of those who saw in the
victory the beginning of the end of the
bandits career.
At the same time, 1t is pointed out
that the American cavalrymen have a
formidable task before them in search
ing the barren mountain wastes where
Villa is supposed to have taken refuge.
The fact that no further fighting has
been reported is taken as an indication
that the bandits have been effectualy
scattered by the American troopers.
WILD RUMORS HATCH AGAIN.
AS usual in the lack Of definite in
formation, the border is again hive
of rumors of an alarming and sensa-
tional character. The majority OF these
rumors are based on stories brought
from the interior by Mexicans and the
few Americans who struggle in here by
ones and twos daily. The most cir
cumstantial of these stories at present
deals with the reported detection of Col
onel C,ano. the Carranza commander at
Namiquipa.
C3no is the chief lieutenant of General
illus Herrera, who was supposed to have
declared against CarranZa several days
ago, a report that was vigorously denied
by the officials of the de facto govern
ment.
The main facts in support of Cano's
revolt are that he has not been heard
from for more than a week and that he
is known to have expressed strong anti
American. sentiments on several occa'
sions. Like Herrera, Cano has been
bitter enemy of Villa and it is not sup
posed that if he has deserted the stand
ard of the first chief he mas Joined the
fugitive bandit. but that he has simply
declared himself against any Corpora
ton with the soldiers of the United
States.