Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-18
Opposing Factions Waging
Bitter Struggle in Tor
reon Region, Claim.
In CASAS GRANDES
Americans Reported to Have
Arrived in Villa Noun
tain Retreat.

lorreon, Mex, March lS.
Fighting has been in pro-
gress since early yesterday
between constitutionalists
and Villistas at Canon Choir
ritos, near Noe, which is in
the Torreon district. News
of the result of the battle is
not expected to be available
before tomorrow.
The Villa commander is
said to be Juan Madrid and
also possibly Canuto Reyes
is with him.
Reliable reports received here
today also stated that 26 men had
been killed and 80 captured in
battle between cOnstitutionalists
and so-called "pacificists' some-
where in the region of Durango,
IHC NCIO
said to be under the leadership of
Generals Banuelos and Miguel
Hernandez.
Douglas, Ariz- March 1S.-Fran.
cisco Villa and large number of
his bandits have been located near
Geronimo, Chihuahua, and are
making their way to Namiquipa,
in western Chihuahua, near the
town of MADEIRA, according to a
telegram received here today by
Ives G. Lelevier, consul of the de
facto government. The message
was from General Luis Gutierrez,
commander of the Carranza col
| umns operating near Chihuahua
| City.
Ell Paso, March 1S.-American caval-
rymen were camped at down today al
COlonia Dublan, one of the environs
of Casas Grandes. They arrived in the
night. Through Colonia Dublan runs
the road to the Galeana district, q
miles southeast, where Villa was las1
dennltely reported.
The news Of the encampment at Co
lonia Dublan dispelled fears Of any
disputes with constitutionalist authori
ties over what position the American
troops should occupy at Casas Grandes
Mormon scout outriders dashed into
Colonia Dublan last night with the
news that the Americans were near
The column which was first into this
important American settlement wa.
said to be the cavalry from Hachita.
Expecting Crisis.
The second crisis in the interna
tional situation created when Ameri
can troops crossed the Mexican border
was believed to have been reached to
day with the arrival of the advance
corps of the expeditionary force a
Casas Grandes.
If the speed of 80 miles a day a
which the column has moved is main
tanned, the American soldiers shoult
be in Villa territory before nightfall
Casas Grandes is Is miles from tn,
border of the district Of Guerrero, thu
bandit chiefs native heath. There ha
been no reliable report as to the ex
act whereabouts Of Villa but 1t Is con
sidered fairly certain that he has TAX
en- refuge in the fastneses of tn
mighty Sierra Madres, one Of the wild
est and most inaccessible regions il
all Mexico. The people Of Guerrero ar
said to be fanatical followers of tn
fugitive and he can rely on them 70
food, recruits and information as t
the movements of his pursuers. TIL
task Of the United States force viii
have really begun when they reach tn
foothills Of the Sierrcs.
COlOnists Believed Safe.
The arrival of the expeditionar,
troops in the vicinity Of Casas Grande
was greeted along the border with
sigh Of relief, in as far as the fate o
1.-THE 500 American Mormons at Coloni
Dublan and Colonia Morelos is con
cerned. The soldiers are alread
south of these settlements and so al
fears for the safety of the colonist
have been removed.
While the expedition has passe
| (Tnrtinnad nm Daua