Arizona republican., 1916-10-26
VILLA AS MILITARY
 LEADER SEEMS TO
 BE BOOMING BACK"
[RepubIlcan A. p. Leased wirel


 WASHINGTON. Oct. 25.-Conditions in northern Mexico. revolving on the new ascendency O. Villa as a military leader. are commanding more atten- ton that at any other time since the border raids T nich resulted in the dispatch of the American punitive ex- petition.
 Administration officials made no ef- fort tonight to disguise their opinion that the American Mexican commis- sion sitting at Atlantic City cannot De expected to arrive at a satisfactory solution of border problems until the situation in Chihuahua has been clari- fled. Any agreement for the early withdrawal of General Pershings forces from Mexico apparently is con- sidered now as out of the question.
 Moreover. the impression stood out clearly from all the views expressed that while the present situation exists there is little possibility that the fore es of regulars or national guardsmen cn the border will be reduced IL was stated that no chances would be taken of another raid into American terri tory.
 Coupled with ugly reports which disparage the stability of General
 
 removal from Mexico City to Quere- taro as a sign of the breaking Up process which his enemies have re- peatedly predicted the military move mcnt of Villa. HOW making a formid- able campaign in Chihuahua. are re- farded here as menacing the de facto governments control Of the whole northern country
 Prominent in the whole situation are apparently well founded but ln- definite reports Of the connection of he so-called Legalista movement with the whole train of events. which are expected bv those familiar with the Mexican situation here to develop within q short time.
 Tho Mexican embassy today da- clared that Villas forces consist eniv of a few hundred men claiming Villa as their leade-. and branded renorts If instability of General Car-anza' 8 government as Hood of misren-e- sentation that might he expected from enemies when the Mexican American commission began it's work At the same time reports came to the war derartment that Villas camp fires were in sight of Chihuahua City and that General Trevino the Car ranZa commander there although t ceiving endorsements was short of | ammunition and considering evacua;- ino the capitol
 | Department officials said tonight they nad not heard tho report reach | ing inc border that Chihuahua had actually fallen. Az matter Of mili- tary strategy it was nointed out that Villa. once occupying Chihuahua could compel the surrender of Juarez as he did easily once before and at another stroke rnieht take Torreon Monterev and Saltillo when he would he a military factor somewhat differ ent from tho bandit whose life an American military expedition was dis. patched for.
 The war departments reply or { Villas late~t com came from Briga die- General Peli who transmitted ~tories he had obtained from refugees arriving in Fl Paso. As he did moi give tho names ot his informants snmc "'ate department officials ev- pressed doubt as to the entire accu~. acv of tho tales. It was conceded however that no room was left foi douht that tho bandit leader was op. er1ting onenlv and in force agains the dc facto governments arnv. Gen n-al telfs dispatches gave details O. ! 'n" aDnlhllatinn of Carran71 column! nrde~ General Ozuna hv Villa forcn. at Palomas and described how tn. Villa troops ca antured pr killed nor. than thousand Carranza troops ant to"'s all tho supplv trains.
 The Mexican embassy exnla 1atiot If General Carrn nzas rrove to Quere taro was that he had eona to pre- pare for the meeting of the consti tuten4 assembly. for which depntie just have heen olected The arriva of the families of Generals Carranzi md Obregon in the United State was declared 10 be without signifi cance
 "The rumo-s. that this visit has an, political significance or that The fam ilioe cf the leaders arc abandoning tn , country are absurd" said an embass statement
 Reports forwarded by Ma for Gener al Funston however. said Genera Treviro had privately advised man , officials in Chihuahua to leave tn
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