Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-04-01
VILLA, WOUNDED, FBEES
TO GUERRERO HILLS

Continued from Page One
into American territory reached here early
this morning. 1t was TO the effect that
small body of bandits had crossed the
border 10 miles east of FL Paso and
robbed an American ranch house. The re-
port was brought by an employe Of the
Interurban Street Car Line and a detaoh-
ment Of soldiers was Immediately sent
along the border to investigate.
Villa has not only been defeated by the
American troops, but his forces in the
Torreon district also, led by General
Canuto Reys, have been deeisively beaten
In battle with Carranza troops. Reys
was attempting to destroy the railroad
near Torreon when he was surprised by a
Government force and suffered heavy
losses.
Heavy rains have set In along the Dor.
der and far south in Mexico II Is be-
lieved, however. that the American troop
ers are pursuing villa despite the water
pouring down the gullies and making the
paths increasingly difficult to follow.
Somewhere, just few hours before
them II was reported that villa and his
scattered men were making an effort TO
reassemble. villa himself was carried on
a litter by chosen followers.
Some reports conveyed information that
Villa had gathered scattered forces at
some rendezvous and was preparing to
fling them at Chihuahua City In last
desperate effort to recoup. His defeat at
San Geronimo meant something more
than the loss of 30 men, and his ablest
general Elseo Hernandez. II meant
powerful blow at his amigos" in the
Guerrero country. Il
villa had promised that he would wipe
the American expedition out and send It
flying back to the border villa was con-
fident that American cavalry could never
operate successfully against his own wild
horsemen.
Their horses are too big" he said.
They are clumsy. They cannot live in
mountains"
1t was just this view that accounts for
the surprise at San Geronimo Villas
scouts had reported that the American
cavalry was 55 miles away. General
Hernandez received the reports and no
doubt was moved by Villas contempt for
the American cavalry. He made camp.
Meanwhile Colonel Dodd and his cavalry
men were pounding their way from the
neighborhood of Namiqupa.
As they approached the Villista camp
the Americans spread out. They APP
preached through arroyes and gulies
Hernandezs men were at mess. The men
sat wrapped in their serapes, making a
meal of cracked corn and evil-smelling
coffee. American carbines began to crack
before Villistas were aware the enemy
was within 40 miles. The Mexican re-
turn of the bombardment of the Ameri-
cans was wild and showed the character
istic abandon with which the Mexican
wastes ammunition
The complete report of that rout was
still awaited today, but some of it's de.
tails were known ii was enough to
know that American cavalry had villa
on the run and was wearing the legs off
the Villista horses.
There is still some doubt regarding the
fate of Pablo Lopez, the Villa butcher"
Once he was reported killed at the Co
lumbus massacre. Later he was reported
wounded. Now comes the report that he
Jagged behind his men and was taken at
San Geronimo But Lopez. murderer
though he is, is less than secondary con.
sideration. The main inspiration of the
Americans is the picture of Pancho villa
roaring in his rage, trying to rally his
panicky followers about his litter