New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-17

most four hundred men. some OF whom
arc wounded. lie said also that il was
not believed in the Mormon colonies
that the bandit chief lad more than
five hundred men with him when he
raided Columbus.
New and powerful army units were
rapidly forming to-day along the Mex
lean border 20 FL the gaps left yester-
day when the first expeditionary army
entered Mexico from two points on the
New Mexican line.
Preparing Reinforcements.
In Fl Paso, Brigadicr General George
Bell. jr.. moving in here on the heels
of Brigedier General Pershing, wa:
busy gathering a new organization, at
tending 70 the supply problem and pre-
pairing 10 maintain communication:
with the men already out in virtua
desert and rapidly getting further
from their bases.
The 23d Infantry. from Galveston
pitched its tents az Fort Bliss. At Co
lumbus. y. ", the 18th Cavalry, from
Fort Oglethorpe, arriving during the
night, was ready 20 move in after the
first army, but II was not known here
when the 18th would so or in which
direction.
American soldiers wounded in the
Mexican campaign will be brought bach
10 the border in automobiles after re
ceiving first aid in the hospital with
the army in the field
At Columbus and Hachita hospitals
will be maintained, but the base hos
pital is at FL Paso and the more Sc
verely wounded will be brought dircc:-
~ 10 this city. The Mexico North
western Railroad could be made avail
able for bringing the wounded men more
quickly TO the border. II has been re-
ported that orders have been given by
Carranza officials that use Of the rail-
road Cor any purpose by the American
troops has been prohibited. This was
denied a. military Headquarters in
Juarez to-day.
One subject of much speculation on
both sides Of the border is the exact
meaning OF the appointment OF Cen
cral Obrcgo1 a. Minister of War Opin-
ions among Americans familiar with
MeXico and its politics are sharply
divided. one camp insists that
Obrcgon's appointment means that the
Two Mexican leaders have reconciled
their differences and that Obregou
intends TO give his full support 90
the First Chief.
Tho other camp. which includes most
Of those who have a personal acquain-
tance with Obregon, are equally con
fident that his appointment indicates
that he Is gaining the upper hand in
governmental affairs and that a turn
distinctly unfavorable 10 the United
States may be looked for soon in the
policy Of the de facto government.
In the meantime III Paso and all
the rest Of the northern and western
border continue to hear the wild and
fantastic rumors which can never be
too fantastic net 20 gain some be
levers. How most of them start is a
mystery. but they are generally cred
tied 30 Villa sympathizers who wish
70 provoke trouble for the Carranza
government and stir up hostility
toward II among Americans.
villa Spies Arrested.
All over this city arc special police
men. some in uniform, some in plain
clothes, and all under orders 20 ar
rest the first man who starts the slight
est disturbance.
Arrests Of Villa sympathizers and
supposed Villa spies in FL Paso con
tinued to-day. All who we're arrested
are being held in jail until all danger
Of trouble on the border is believed Ia
have passed.
Among those arrested to-day were
two former members Of Villas per
sonal bodyguard. who were with him
whef the bandit chief was ut the
, height Of his military power in Mexico
and who are believed to be still loyal
20 him and in touch with him. These
fa4b
er ard son. have been under suryeil-
lance for week.
Ygnacio was captain of Villas body
guard. and later was with Rodolfo
Fierro. slayer of William Benton and
Gustave Bauch, when he was made a
brigadier general by Villa, as a reward
for killing foreigners.
Mexican snipers to-day continued fir
ing upon troop trains en- route TO IL
Paso as they passed along the border
from Sierra Blanca to III Paso. Pas
senger and freight trains. mistaken for
troop trims by the Mexicans, also were
fred upon at long range by Mexican
snipers. Within five miles OF FL Paso a
Texas g. Pacific passenger train to-day
was fired upon by a Mexican. the bull
let crashing through the engine cab
and striking within few inches Of
Fireman Wltholder's head. The fire
man saw the Mexican with gun stand
ing some distance from the track near
Alfalfa switch. As the train passed
Witholder saw the Mexican raise his
rife and the bullet struck the side Of
the cab.
Troop trains have been arriving at
intervals all day from the east, and II
is believed a line of Villa snipers is
being maintained along the routes to
Kill Americans on tho trains. The
snipers are poor shots, however, and
so far not an American has been hit.
Airplanes in Pursuit.
Arrivals from Columbus tonight
say two big army planes late to-day
started in pursuit Of Villa and motors
were making flights over the town &c
tune up for the dash south. The air.
planes were expected to overtakc thf
American army before darkness sci
in. The arrivals said five United
States soldiers who had started with
the army for Mexico were forced By
physical disabilities to turn back
They reached here this evening. The
men were Privates Lacy, c. A. SLACK
and J. Fisher. Company d, Sixth In
fantry; O'Connor, Company ID, Six
teenth Infantry, and Corporal Har
rington, Company D. Sixth Infantry.
Or. Charles c. Young, formerly o.
Chicago, reported to-day that tn,
Mexican flag. above sign of death
was painted on the door OF his ranci
house Mt Belen, Tex, seventeen mile
southeast of here, last night.
DR.. Young said he believed the worl
might have been done by a "junta,
who we're marking certain Americana
/ for death at the hands Of raider.