Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-21
NAY USE RIVER.

course far down to the neighborhood OF
the Santa Clara ranch.
NAY USE RIVER
This road most often clings to the
bank Of the Santa Maria river. but some.
times climbs to the heights OF the ad-
Joining mountains Throughout its
length IL is suitable for ordinary wagon
traffic and for the most part, travellers
say. heavy MOTOR trucks could traverse
IL. with occasional assistance. Always
IL Is within easy reach of the river.
The Santa Maria river, rising some
forty miles south OF Cruces and flowing
northward to Lake Santa Maria, a dis
lance Of about 100 miles, is a shallow
stream. Cattlemen. driving their herds
from the upper valley have used its bed
as highway for many years. Many of
these men who. live in FL Paso point out
that If cattle can be driven down the
up IL and that 1t is, therefore, a valuable
adjunct TO the army searching for Villa.
IL the army now is following the
route provided by the wagon road and
the Santa Maria, and is proceeding with
the speed II went from Columbus to
Casas Grandes. a few days march
should bring il to the Babricora lake
region.
From Galeana. to FL Vale is about
81 miles; from FL Vale to Cruces.
about 80 mics; and from Cruces to
Namiquipa some 20 miles more.
Namiquipa, with a strong garrison,
is one link in the chain OF defenses
which Genera Carranza has thrown
about southern and western Guerrero to
cut off the retreat of Villa
Further west is the Oarranza garrison
OF MADEIRA North and west of MADEIRA,
General Gutierrez claims he holds ali
the passes leading into Sonora.
WHERE VILLA MAY DASH.
Dispatches from Douglas quote Gem
eral p. kias Gales. military COVER
nor OF Sonora, as saying that the forces
in eastern Sonora are being reinforced
constantly.
1t is pointed out here that the most
favorable place for Villa to break
through would be at some point be-
tween MADEIRA and Namiquipa; or that
he still has open to him flight eastward
to his old Businesses i'm the region of
Cruces
II General Pershing's troops follow
the route initiated i'm Columbus and
continued. according to the reports re-
ceived by General Gavira and Colonel
Bertani through Casas Grandes to
Galeana- they must by this time be in
the neighborhood Of or beyond Ell Vale
II General Pershing's troops follow
the route through Casas Grandes to
they must be in the neighbor-
hood Of or beyond FL Vale A part
Of the way south from Ell Vale the
wagon rOa>. an old travelled highway.
Later IL runs into the mountains where
there are forests of scrub oak and pine.
In this region the Santa Maria is walled
in by lofty canyons and would be I'M
safe for cavalry transit as huge boulders
could be toppled down on the passing
troops.
However, the wagon road passes over
the mountains and continues on the
Cruces. In army circles here It has
been believed that Villa might try to
keep on to the south instead of stopping
in his stamping grounds i'm the
Cruces region. 1t was pointed out to-
day that in his retreat from Columbus,
he must have followed the course of the
Santa Maria for a part of the time if
the reports announced by General
Gavira are true.
The latest report stating that Villa
had left this route at FL Vale march,
ing to the BarbricoTa lake region, is
as significant as is also the
that the attacker of Co
Iumbus has foresaken thirty of his
short distance north of Namiquipa,
where strong CarranEa attachments are
stationed. A route to the west might
offer him a chance Of eluding his pur-
uers.
The Santa Maria valley offers good
opportunities for operating the machines
Of the first aero squadron, eight Of
which are under detail for Mexican
duty. At Casas Grandes, Ell Vale and
Cruces there are stretches of level
country that would permit landings and
the start of new flights.