The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-04

question any longer. on the border
that Villa is heading for Torreon in
the neighborhood of which city he
will find Canuto Reyes, one Of his
most trusted neutenants.
Reyes has successfully DEBATED the
Carranza forces for several months.
He has ravaged. north Durango and
Is believed to have several hundred
men in his command with many
smaller guerilla bodies operating in
conjunction with him. II Villa can
effect junction with Reyes SUM-
GENTLY in advance of his pursuers to
attempt q concentration of the ban
dts. it is said that he can muster
1000 men at least.
Both Mexicans and Americans who
know Villa personally. have little
doubt as to the tactics he is trying
to pursue. They say that the fugi-
tive bandit Is not alarmed over any
opposition he may meet from his
countrymen, but that he is devoting
all his energies to planning the dis
comfiture Of the American forces
whom he fears almost as much as
he hates. .,E y
According to these observers, Villa
Is anxious to push as far south as
possible with the purpose Of stretch
ing out the already thin line of COM
munication of the Americans to the
breaking point. With the cofnpara-
tiFelyIfew men under the command Of
: General Pershing, a line OF communi-
cation 400 or 500 miles long becomes
aserious problem.
Torreon Is 500 miles from Column
bus as the crow flies, but far great
er distance by the winding trails that
are the only trails across northern
Chihuahua. $t
With Francisco Villa still in fight
and his whereabouts apparently un-
known to his pursuers, the campaign
OF the American forces now securing
northern Chihuahua for the bandit,
entered Tuesday upon a broader
plane. New troops have been or
dered into Mexico from the military
base at Columbus, N. NJ, to protect
the lengthening lines Of communica-
tion.
Villa has been reported at many
points in the broad zone which ranges
from the Rayon country to the BENZ
to-Juarez district. The last Mexican
report was that he. was south of Sa-
levo and heading for Parral, but this
could not be confirmed. The diff
culties Of the pursuit have multiplied
because Of the misleading informa-
tion given by Mexican poems to Cen
eral Pershing's men.
Army men here believe that as
Villa moves southwark with his trail
well covered for the time at least 1t
will be necessary to establish new
army bases and strongly guard the
line Of communication.
Large re-enforcements OF American
troops will be needed, the military
authorities say.
can army Of the Mexican Northwest
ern railway for the transportation Of
supplies becomes more important.
Well informed persons here be-
Neve that Torreon is Villas present
objective, but that afterwards he will
proceed to Durango City. The coun-
try in that section is very broken and
remote from all lines Of communica-
ton. Here, 1t is pointed out. Villa
could spread any story he pleased in
order to rally the ignorant inhabi-
tants to his standard.
The American troops will not be
without advantage however, IL they
follow the trail through the San Pc
dro valley. This is rich agricul-
tural section where there would be
plenty OF corn and other forage for
animals and beans, beets and other
foodstuffs for the troops.