Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-01


Guessing as to Whereabouts.
Just where Villa went when the
Americans charged his force at Guer-
rero is not known here. Reports that
he was carried away on a litter, that
he rode off in a carriage, or that he
was hiding in cave of mountain
overlooking the battle between his men
and those of Col. Dodd were character
lied at headquarters as guesses.
No report to Gen. Funston has stated
specifically just where he was on that
day nor where he is now. Even the
report that he is injured was not def
nitely stated, although Gen. Pershing's
reference to his injuries indicate that
he believed the report.
Doubt as to Villas Wound.
Unofficial reports early today indi-
Gated the possibility of an error as to
his wounded condition. One of these
source. was that he was uninjured and
that his own men had spread the re-
port of his broken leg in order to dis
tract the attention of the Americans.
Messages sent by Gen. Funston today
to Gen. Pershing included copies of the
consratulatory messages received from
the War Department and the White
House.
No supplies yet have been sent over
the Mexico Northwestern. notwith-
standing the permission of CarranZa.
granted three days ago Gen. funston
has sent orders to Gen. Bell at Eli Paso
10 offer shipments for transportation
tn cssas Grandes, but Gen. Bell had not
been able last night to get them ac-
cepted Gen. Gavira, commandant at
Juarez il is understood. is waiting for
more definite instructions from Car
rama.
Speedy Capture Is Expected.
Ell PASO. Tex, April 1.-The capture
of Francisco Villa by the flying squad
rons of American cavalry searching
the Sierra Madre mountains is believed
by army officers at Fort Bliss to be
only a question of days.
His forces scattered into small bands
after their smashing defeat Wednes-
dav by forces led by Vol. Dodd. Villa
Is reported today to have sought safety
in hiding in some recesses of the
continental divide. The bandits in
iured leg, said to have been broken
by a gunshot wound or a fall from
horse will doubtless prevent him
from making any long night over lhe
rugged mountains.
Ell Paso Hears of Capture.
That Villa already had been captured
and was being brought back to the
army base at Casas Grandes was re-
port heard here today. but it was not
credited in official quarters.
Mexican Consul Andres Garcia had no
word of any further engagements be-
tween the American troops and Villa
forces.
con pershjne will continue his opera
tjons against the fleeing bands of Villa
men to prevent their concentration and
to destroy them.
the army base here. meanwhile is
moving forward supplies to the front
nv way of Columbus so that the
american army may be prepared for a
nossibIe protracted campaign.
Border Excitement Continues.
The feverish excitement caused along
the border by yesterdays news of Col
Dodd's victory at San Geronimo ranch
had far from subsided today. The fact
that three days have elapsed since the
smashing blow delivered at the Villa
hand in the valley of the Santa Maria
without any further news from Gen.
Pershing has given birth to the most
extrayagant speculation and rumors.
The chief argument of the pessimists
is that if Villa was as desperately in
iured as reported he should by now be
in the hands of his pursuers. But the
optimists retort by pointing out the
wild character Of the country in which
he is hiding and the fact that most of
the natives of the mountains are sure
To dn all they can to bafilA tho Amer.