Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-03-16
MEXICAN GUERRILLAS
FIRE ON U. S. TROOPS

: Continued from Page Ono
-carranza not to oppose the American SOL
dlers."
Does that mean you will cooperate
with them?" he was asked.
'I have been told not to oppose them"
After spending the night encamped in
the vicinity of the Palomas Lakes, nine
miles south of the border, the main divi-
sion of the expedition was reported to be
pushing forward on Villas trail today.
Behind Cavalry scouts, Colonel Slocum's
column OF infantry, artillery and cavalry
was marching this afternoon across the
alkali waste OF the Chihuahua desert on
the line of retreat Villa took following
his defeat at Columbus.
Warned by the opening clash that
guerrilla tactics might be expected during
all the operations in Mexico, no further
chances OF surprise will be taken by GEN
eral Persh!ng and his staff. Immediately
after the Mexicans had been driven off.
two American aeroplanes took the air and
few in advance of the expedition until it
halted for the night about 10 miles south
of the border.
The first field headquarters of the
PershIng expedition will be established at
Guzman, a town in Chihuahua about 40
miles from the border. and on the railway
from JuLrez to Pearson. From this point
the American troops will be supplied while
in his refuge in the Sierra Madre Noun
tains.
MARCH INTO MEXICO
with the vanguard OF the United
States army already we'll into Mexico,
south OF Columbus, N. M, officials ex-
pected few results and meagre news for
several days. Cryptic dispatches from
Generals Funston and Pershing. hiding
the actual Location and line OF march OF
Mexico. de.eted OF all but skeleton facts,
were the prospect
The sxs ct strength OF the United
States 70. ees now In Mexico was still in
dolDt General Pershing was believed TO
have lea approximately 1000 men across
ths norcer ~ ColumLus. About 1900 more
were believed 10 have started last night
or will go today from Culbertsons
Ranch, about 60 miles from Columbus.
With strategic plans kept closely guard
ed II was believed the two American eN-
Peditions would effect a junction at AS
cension probably tomorrow for the trip
south through Carralitos toward casas
Grandes.
Another big body of United States
troops was still waiting the signal at FL
PasO. When these would leave no army
authority would disclose.
Although Colonel Gavira. Carranza com.
mander AT Juarez. opposite El Paso, prom
ised that MS troops were loyal and would
not oppose passage Of the Americans
through Juarez. II was believed the entry
there Of the third division OF the United
States punitive expedition would be con-
slderGhly delayed. Juarez and vicinity is
believed 10 be honeycombed with Yillista
eympathizers with many on the American
side. Prevention OF Villista uprising.
especially IN FL Paso, where from 10000
20 $4,000 Mexieans reside, was con-
sidsration.
As complete q mystery as the exact
number OF United States troops IN Mexico
was the number OF men villa now hasArny
reports variously estimated his command
from 1900 20 5000. He Is said 10 be poorly
proEisioned. his ammunition supplies linn
ltea ana having only three or four pieces
of small artillery sanguinary engage
meat with the Yiliistas 70 a remote possi-
billy, according 70 army officers.
Nary Wild runners were afi0at regard
fnz baadit activity on the border and
Yiiiista uprisinEs 10 the interior. one
Eonorf IA which officials placed little re-
iance Has that Zapata and Felix Diaz
planned 20 aid Vtlla by sending armies
north t. ioin him. CaFranza's main army
~ Qderelaro and the south It was de-
clered, would eneetually prevent any such
ansen-
REACH QuxAAN TONIGHT.
Early indleailoas uere that the van
eEz1d s lhe AnericaD foreeE Woaid reach
7zaieE lofiztt IIlis EoWH y oH the Mex
t..z. #aEIE s 4tLazH H.4II aaL. abGaE 50