The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-23
Fear Grows on Border That
PerShing Expedition Is About
to Be Led Into a
Fatal Trap.
SUPPLY PROBLEM SERIOUS
Should Mexicans Refuse to Per
nit Use of Railways Seri-
Gus Trouble May Re-
suit, Is Fear.
SUPPLY PROBLEM SERIOUS
BULLETINS.

CarranZa today replied to the
American governments request for
the use of Mexican railroad lines
for movement Of supplies to the
punitive expedition with n request
for more complete information Of
exactly what the war department
wants.
General Carranza's reply was
sent to President Wilson. The in
formation he asks will be furnished.
1t is understood General Car
rama wants information Of the eX-
tent to which the United States
expects to use the railroad and
probably assurances that the line
is to be used only for furnishing
supplies. Administration officials
realize that Carranza Is dealing
with a difficult sentiment in Mex
leo, and that use of the railroad
by American troops, unless fully
understood, might lead to friction.
Ell Pa3o. Tex. March 21.-Villa
has doubled east and south to Ma
miquipa, according to a telegram
received here by General Gavira
at Juarez. He reports that Car
ranzista troops are advancing from
the south, while the Americans are
continuing their march from the
north in an effort to close the net
around the bandit
FL Paso. Tex, March 2o.-Car-
rama troops stationed at Casas
Grandes and other points of that
section of the time that General
pershins began his march into
Mexico, now are located at Juarez,
opposite FL Paso, and in tire rear
Of General Pershine's column, il
was authoritatively stated today.
No reason has been assigned for
the transfer Of troops from points
inland to the border.
From reliable sources It was
stated also that in one instance a
Carranza detachment allowed
OF a message from the bandit lead
err that he was not warning against
Mexico.
At Fort Bliss today comment was
withheld on the northward movement
of Carranza troops, although it was
in army circles that the
was not large.
Gen. George Bell, jr, commanding
the troops here said:
There is not a reason on earth fo-
anxiety in Ell Paso. The military is
prepared to meet any emergency that
may arise"
General Bells statement was directed
particularly to reports of uneasiness
in the border situation here. Rumors
were spread through the city today that
machine guns were to be trained on
points over the river At Fort Bliss 1t
was denied that any such action was
1t was authOritativcly
declared that no reason existed for 1t.
Guns Are Placed.
HIn 10 Al .I,-s
cautions 1t is understood as would be
with the policy of pre-
paredness applied to the entire border
by Major General Funston.
Guns already placed have been
moved to points where they would
have been moved to points where they
would have greater strategic value II
an emergency arose. The situation has
been thoroughly gone over and pros
pective positions for machine and even
heavier guns selected if they were
needed. 1t is explained, however that
these steps have been taken without
any idea that need for the Guns would
arise.
Battle May Be Near.
A clash between the Villista and
CarranZa forces is imminent according
to advices received here today through
General Gavira, the CarranZa comman-
Ter at JuareZ.
Villa, fleeing south before the rapidly
advancing American troops, is ap-
parently trying to break through the
American Gordon, closing in
about the Laguna -Babricora region. He
Is seeking a loOphOle in the direction OF
through which he can eS-
cape into the mountains around Guer-
zero and Santa Ana, the familiar
ground where he commenced his career
as a bandit.
The Carranzaistas are advancing
1orthward from Namiquipa, 40 miles
from San Miguel Babricora. 20 miles
west Of Ell Vale, where Villa was re-
ported yesterday.
AS the bandit is travelling south, a
few hours should decide whether 10
IAN evade the troops Of General Jar
rama or be forced into either lighting
them or doubling on his tracks.
Wild Rumors AfIoat.
But the interest in the chase after
Villa is almost OvershadOwed on the
border by anticipation Of the reply of
General Carranza 20 the request of the
American government for permission to
use the Mexican railroads. At Ell Paso,
the home Of rumor, Outdid herself in
the sensational reports that flashed
rom one end of the town to the other,
living out to be succeeded by others
even more alarming.
1t was impossible to discover how
these rumors started, but they never
acked believers The most persistent
and most generally accepted asserted
hat the transportation arrangements
rom Columbus to the front, a distance
IF probably more than 120 miles, had
proved inadequate and that the rail-
loads were urgently needed to forward
supplies. The desert and barren noun
tain country over which the greater
quantities of material required by the
700 or 5000 American soldiers must
travel on pack mules and wagons pre-
sents, admittedly. a tremendous prob
EN-. This problem is greatly increased
by the fact that most, If not all, of the
forage for the American horses must
be forwarded from the base.