Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-03-20
Mexican Armies Hem in Three
Sides of Bandits Refuge
and Americans Close in on
Fourth,
CHIEF TAIN LOCATED
ON HEARST RANCH
Way Into Sonora Is Clearly
Guarded and Mountain
Passes TO Westward Are
Strongly Occupied,

tsv ~osriSs JousssL srsetst tsAssp wlss
III Paso, Tex, March l9.-Panchn
Villa has been driven into trap by
he rapid advance Of the American
roops, according TO the Information
received today in wireless dispatches
rom the front and in teegraphic
messages to General Gabriel Gavira,
he Carranza commander at Juarez
Everything seems now to depend
upon the ability OF the Carranza gar
risons to hold their end of the net
IN three sides, the bandit chief Is
hemmed in by strong Carranzista
columns while on the fourth the Am
erican soldiers are driving forward
with amazing speed,
ON the Hearst Ranch.
Villa was In the Babricora lake re-
sion tonight on the ranch of Mrs.
Phoebe Hearst, which he has ravageu
several times in the past. ratgic1ig1
is about litty-f five miles south OF tsa-
leana, where one section Of the Ann
erican eXpeditionary force has arriv-
ed and is pushing forward at the rate
of thirty three miles II day A few
miles to the west of the bandits po-
sition is Namlquipa which Is held by
Il powerful Carranza garrison t)n
the east are the frowning barriers Of
the Sierra Madre barring the Way tu
Sonora. General Gutierre1, carrfln-
Za's field chief declares that he holds
all the passes TO sonora. In any
event It Is very unlikely that Alilln
would make break for Senorfil for
that Is the native state of Geknerat
0hregon, and the people of whickh are
said to BE- sta,lnchix Joval q hiA-..
Blocked nj MADEIRA
TO the south Villas way IL blocked
by the Carranza garrison at MADEIRA,
town of considerable Importance as
the headquarters of the MADEIRA com
pany limited, an American concern .
which has vast lumber mining and
railroad interests. on account of the
importance of this town an excep-
tionally heavy Carranza force is saic
to hold It,
The whole situation seems to hang
tonight on the Carrancistas. If they
remain loyal to the first chief, which
up to the present they have shown
every indication of doing, Villa APP
pears trapped. 1t is, of course, real
lied that he Is on ground of his own
choosing and country admirably suit.
ed for guerrilla warfare and surprise
attacks.
No Friction, SO Far.
While the Carranza leaders and
the United States military authorities
have succeeded so far In avoiding any
friction, there is one serious question
which may arise at any time to
threaten the entire situation. Az tho
lines Of communication of the AM
erican force lengthen the problem OF
bringing up supplies becomes increaa-
ingly more pressing. II is expected
here that Washington will sooner or
later request permission of General
Curranza to use the Mexican rail-
roads. II such request has not al
ready been made TO grant such per-
mission would undoubtedly be n step
hound to be misconstrued by man
MeMcans on the other hand a
fusal would scarcely harmonize WI
the professed desire of the Carran
government to cooperate in ever
way with the American authoritie
The arrival OF this crisis is being am
iously awaited on both sides of tho
border
Abandons Wounded.
villa has reached Babicora
near the lake of that name In
the Guerrero region. after hay
ing abandoned thirty of his
wounded at lei Vale, according to II
telegram received today by General
Gayira at Juarez from Col. Nieto
Macias, the commander at Pearson.
This places villa a little beyond
Las Cruces where the constitutional
lists reported him yesterday
Fled to Avoid Catf'anza Force.
villa fled to avoid conflict with tho
Carrancista troops under Colonel Ca
no. Among the thirty wounded, who
had been shot In the Columbus raid
and carried along in wagons only TO
he abandoned at Elvalle, was said to
he the Villsta leader, Pablo Lopez.
Lopez rs the leader whose death was
reported as positive fact at the
Columbus raid Later reports cast
some doubt upon his death. and in
dlcated that another chief carrying
his papers might have been the real
victim. Lopez, in these late reports,
was said to be badly wounded. The
telegram said that Lopez Is In a bau
way, having been shot through the
abdomen and both legs. which were
broken. The VilHsta chief, Ger
vantes. is reported with number of
bandits in Las Cruces
PcIshing Divides Force
General Bertanti, commanding tho
Carrancistas at Casas Grandes, came
to Juarez today to talk over the mill
itary situation with his superior, Gem
eral Gavira. He said that General
Pershnes force is divided. with part
near Casas Grandes and part near
Galeana, some distance southwest of
Casas Grandes The Americans en-
camp in the country but have per-
mission To go to the towns to buy
food. fodder and other obtainahle
goods. An order TO this effect came
from War Minister Obregon. No
word has yet been received by Ga