The border vidette., 1916-03-11
1.-THE LAST STRAW"
Bandit Villa Murders More Americans
 and Is Being Hunted Down.

Columbus, N. M., March g.. Francisco Villa, with 1900 men, raided United States territory today. He attacked Columbus and killed at least sixteen Amer jeans. His men fired many build- ings before they were driven back across the border At tleast 25O United States cavalrymen followed the Villa band into Mexico.
 Reports from Colonel Slocum late today stated that Villa made stand fifteen miles south of the border, where spirited fighting ensued.
 The raid into American terri tory proved costly for Villa. Eighteen Mexican bandits, in- cluding Pablo Lopez, second in command, were gathered and their bodies burned before noon. Troopers reported that an un- determined number of dead were still lying in the brush.
 Led to the attack under the slogan Death to Americans, the bandits fought with despera- .tiOn. Just before drawn they crept along ditches skirting the United States cavalry camp, and rushed into the sleeping town, firing heavily. The first volley brought American troopers into instant action but wkile a DOT ton of the raiders engaged the cavalrymen, others applied the torch, shooting American civi- Hans venturing from buildings.
 Many civilians barricaded themselves in their homes and fired at the Mexicans as they dashed through the streets. The fighting ended as suddenly as it began. Two hours after the first shot, Villa buglers sounded the retreat and the raiders fled in disorder, with American troop CTS closely following.
 Lights in homes and public buildings became targets for Villa snipers. Other bandits, creeping close to American homes, enticed g. number of civi- Hans into the open with English spoken invitations. A number of fatalities are attributed to this ruSe.
 Stores were footed and oil poured on frame structures and a match applied by still other bandits. The pOstoffice was raid ed and the furniture smashed. The looters only secured one re- gistered package.
 Washington, Mar. 9.-Wash- ington stands squarely behind Colonel Slocum in sending his cavalrymen into Mexico in pur- suit of the Villa outlaws who raided Columbus, N. M.
 No orders were issued for the return of the soldiers and there probably will be none for the present.
 Shocked indignation over news of the outrage was succeeded by undisguised satisfaction in off cial and congressional circles that, after three years of patient forbearance, United States troops actually were on Mexican soil to avenge the death of their com rades and bring to justice the outlaws whose depredationS have terrorized Americans on both sides of the border.
 Washington, March 1O.-Pre- sident Wilson issued orders this morning through Secretary of War Baker, to enter Mexico, with instructions to either capture or kill all of the Villa bandits who took part in the raid of Colum- bus, New Mexico, early yester- day morning killing American civilians including women and children.
 Washington, March 10. Major General Scott announces that an expedition of troops that will not consist of less than 5000 troops will enter Mexico at once. These troops are already on the border under the command of Major General Frederick Funston.