Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-03-26
Scout for: Pershing's Column
Reports Troopers on Half
Rations.
VILLA REPORTED
NEAR BABRICORA
Susnected That Bandit Leader Receiy-
cd Aid Of Carranzistas in Eyading
Trap Formed by American and
Mexican Forces.

Ell Paso. March 25.-Pancho Villa,
the elusive bandit chieftain, for whom
10000 American soldiers and half as
many Carranzistas are hunting. has
again demonstrated he is great
strategist.
The Americans ana tha Mexicans,
who are cooperating, came together
from the four po nts Of the compass
at FL Oso, five miles east OF Mani
ouipa, this morning. Tae trap was
empty. The reports received at
Juarez say there was not even a
Yillista in sight. The enveloping
movement has failed OF its object.
villa himself IS placed by General
Gavira, the Carranza commander at
.Juarez. as being short distance
from Babicor2. The forces from his
command that were at Ell Oso eight
hours ago, are said to be passing
through the Santa Clara canyon, in
an easternly direction. This force S
commanded by Cano Cerventes, and
y is believed he is making for Laguna
station, on the Mexican Central rail-
way. There is much speculation as
to how the escape was made. In GER
tain official circles, there is strong
suspicion that friendly Carranzistas
aided villa.
Expedition lralts.
The wireless reports to General
Funston indicate that the advance
guard of the expedition has tempo
rarily ceased activities. Instead of
the expected report of a battle, the
information has been received that
General Pershing has started on a
two days inspection trip of all the
troops N the field. Tie report ends
by saying there have been no clashes
involving American troops.
There is strong ground here for the
belief that all activities of United
States troops in the field must be
halted until the question of supplies
can be settled.
Win Crosby, theF American scout
who led the way for the Pershing
column across the desert reached El
Paso from Casas GranGes today. He
said the troops at that point are on
half rations of hard tack and bacon.
This makes. it certain that the cavalry
column operating more than 25 miles
further south are in no better plight.
A carload of gasoline was shipped
from Juarez this morning over the
Mex can Northwestern. 1t was con-
signed to a Mormon merchant at
Colonia Dublan, but is known to- be
for the motor trucks stranded south
of the border. The Mexican authorl-
ties did not know of the shipment un-
til the train had left. They investi-
gated and found that the gasoline had
been forwarded On a regular bill OF
lading and were powerless to do more
than complain that they had been
tr.cked.. H..
villa Transfers Field.
1t is thought here Villa has become
convinced that Carranza will consent
under the protocol to the use. of the
Northwestern railway and has decided
to transfer his field. of operations to
the district through which the Next
can Central passes. ,.-.s.
This would bring about a demand
for tho use. Of the second line and
the embarrassing delays which would
necessarily ensue. ~
The influence Of Luis Herrera
movements on the future of the situa-
ton is still in doubt, Herrera Is now
at Perrall He still denies that he IS
60 ng to join Villa but has announced
flatly that he will not cooperate with
Carranza officials as long as they
condcne the presence of an American
x1r1Nv in NEovion