The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1916-04-26
AMERICANS SERVE
AS THE TARGETS
For Bullets OF Warning
CarranZistas.
UNFRIEpOiY ATTITUDE PLAIN
In Every Movement OF the Mex.
lean Troops Concerning
the Americans.
\ STRONG HANDICAP ~ BORNE

Columbus, n. NJ, April 22.-Dis-
patches brought here from the front
in Mexico by an aviator show plain
ly the attitude of Mexcans toward
American soldiers.
This one was written April 10:
American aeroplanes have been
fired upon several times by MeXicans
and in at least one case the assail-
ants were Carranza soldiers.
THE latter instance was reported
by Lieutenant c. X. Chapman. who
flew into camp this morning after an
absence of three days on what
should have been under normal con-
ditions two hours fight.
Three nights ago, while on this
trip, wind and darkness forced Lieu
tenant Chapman to alight in the
mountains about 20 miles from here.
He found a ranch in the hills where
the MeXicans seemed friendly. They
advised him to remain there over
night. declaring that the hills were
full of Villa bandits
"He spent the night at the ranch
house without mOlestation, but the
next day, while near town. with
his machine on the ground, train
load of Carranza troops passed. APP
parently for no other purpose than
to test their craftsmanship, some OF
these soldiers opened fire on the
plane.
1.-THE ayiators have come to call
this sort of thing giving us a little
party"
This one was written April 16:
"An American army officer was
fired upon this evening while pass
ing a small town near this camp in
company with a dispatch bearer.
The shooting was without effect. An
investigation was made. |
"a cavalry troop located the camp
of CandelariO Cervantes, a Villa
Lieutenant. in the moutains some /
miles from here. Apparently Ger
vantes's Outposts were able to give
him word of the American approach. |
He escaped. Seven horses were Ia /
ken in the mountain camp. Three /
MeXicans found in that vicinity We're
brought, under custody. to head /,
quarters to be questioned. Cervan- |
ties has been credited with being one
of the men who inspired Villas at ,
tack on Columbus, n. NJ.
although the Americans did not |
see his command, the Villa bandit /
was reported to have about % men,
They made no attempt to stand /.
against the Americans"
The following bore the date of
April -;
THE American eXpeditionary col
umus continue to suffer from alb
sence of effective military co-opera-
ton on the part of Carranza author |
tiles. and to-day little hope remain |
ed that further progress could be |
made without serious clashes with I
unruly elements among outlying /
Carranza commands.
Because of absence of organized |
government in some regions pene- |
trated and GOODNESS of some Carran-
"a commanders, promises of coop |
Grafton have not materialized. While !
the Americans in many instances /
have received considerable courtesy /
from Carranza officials there has /
been sniplng at other points.
'The caution of American officers ,
against any act which might excite |
enmity has been handicap. Amer /
lean troops have. not fired on villa .
bandits at times because they were .
not sure of their indentity. At Par
raj. Major Frank Tompkins, who /
had only ia men, permitted only /
his expert marksmen to return the |
Carranza fire in order 10 avoid the /
danger of hitting women and child /
rem. and the effectiveness of the .
American resistance thereby was re-
duced."