Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-18

Ell PAso. Tex. March 17.---one
OF the American columns in Mexico
was definitely located tonight on the
outskirts of the Casas Grandes re-
gion. between the towns Of Janos
and Ascension. in a statement issued
by General Gavira, Carranza COM
mander at Juarez. simultaneously
came the first indication OF activity
on the part of the villistas and OF
their intention to resist the Ameri-
cans expeditions in news received
that Villas followers had burned a
railroad bridge on the Northwestern
railroad OF Mexico between Sum
mitt and San Pedro, chihuahua.
General Gavira's information pre-
sumably refers to the force made up
the Seventh and Tenth cavalry,
which crossed the border near
Hachita, N. M, and is said to be ad-
vancing by forced marches to pro-
Dublin.
The two towns mentioned, Janos and
Ascension are between sixty and sixty
five miles directly south Of Tiachita on
the Janos river. Janos, the most south
erly OF the two. Is about twenty miles
from corralitos. near whore the railroad
bridge was burned The burned bridge
was on the Northwestern railroad be-
tween Summit and San Pedro and d.
rectiy in the line OF advance OF the enain
expeditionary force. which. starting from
Columbus. would strike the railroad 1t
Guxman. forty miles north OF Corralitos.
II was close TO the latter place that the
vflliatas are said 10 have murdered five
Maxicap ranchera on Sunday and drove
Off their horses.
Arrivals from Columbus today reported
Intense activity at the American military
bare. they said fresh troops were being
sent forward across tho border both night
and day and that one aeropiane had
already Joined the forces in Mexico.
Seven other aircraft are lowering over
the border constantly on scouting trips
The Abaerbsns Question.
with the practical certainty that the
American soldiers had at last reached
the villa territory. the questions of alb
sorbina interest on the border Is how
many men has villa and will he fight or
run. Americans from the Casas Grandos
region assert that tho poems there are
certain to support villa, partly through
his system OF terroriElng ana partly
through the Elamof OF his reputation as
warrior.
Tho Carranza officials here and IN
Juarez insist that villa has disbandsd
whatever men he had with him and will
not offer TO fight but will rely for safety
on his knowledge OF the almost mac
oessible mountains OF the Sierra Madres
which ho knows by heart
Americans who know villa and the
country in which be has taken refuge
are equally confident that he win attempt
to check his pursuers by a guerrilla cam
raign.
No Clash Vet.
SAN ANTONIO. Tex. March i7.-cal-
culatlons about army headquarters here
today indicated that General Pershing
soon will be In position to redivide his
forces. and from near the heart OF the
region where villa has been operating
begin systematic search for him. Off
cial reports TO General Funston gave as
surances that there had been no clash
between Americans and any band OF
Mexicans and that the routine OF the
march had not. been disturbed.
! IL was estimated that Colonel Dodd
who crossed the International boundary
line at l o'clock Thursday morning. forty
five miles from Hschita. n. NJ. was to-
night close by. II not actually in touch
with the heavier and shaver column led
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