New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-18

carrying OuA TIC OiUtA . AAblt N.iN 800
Chief" he said Personally could
not be expected TO give American news
papers information while American
troops are on Mexican soil"
Speculate as TO Villa.
With the practical certainty that the
American soldiers had at last reached
the Villa territory, the question OF abb
sorbing interest on the border is how
many men has Villa and will he fight
or run. Americans from the Casas
Grandes region assert that the poems
there arc certain to support Villa, part
u through his system Of terrorism and
partly through the glamour Of his rep
u.ation as a warrior.
Carranza officials here and in Juarez
insist that Villa has disoanded what
ever men he had with him and will not
offer to fight. but will rely for safety
on his knowledge Of the almost mac
cessible mountains Of the Sierra
Madres. which he knows by heart.
Americans who know Villa and the
country in which he has taken refuge
equally are confident that he will at
tempt TO check his pursuers By guer-
Tilla campaign.
The tension between the two nations
1t this point on the border was notice
ably sharper to-day, as far as Jaurez
vas concerned. General Gavira
coupled his announcement as TO the
Whereabouts of the American troops
Fhaf la would
LONGER receive American newspaper
correspondents.
Few Americans visited Juarez to
C1~ ard tEcrc few returned with word
e. a decidedly hostile attitude shown
toward them rs The MCxicans. In some
distances children in the streets threw
Iud a. visiting Americans and shouted
ilsuits after them.
Customs officials on the American
side Of the international Bridge re-
PORTED that they had heard scattered
sho-s fred m Juarcz during the last
two nights. but were unable TO ascer-
tain the cause Of The shooting.
Americans Flee Mexico.
Rapidly growing uneasiness among
Americans throughout Mexico, espe-
cialiv In the north and west, was evil
Genced to-day by reports from various
sections that United States citizens
were either on their way TO the bor-
der or were preparing 10 leave.
At practically every point Of entry
along the northern and the north
western frontier Americans arrived
to-day from the interior. In the ma
jority Of instances they said they were
leaving Mexico as a matter of precsu-
ton and not because Of any overt
acts Of hostility against them.
The most significant report was re-
coived from Durango, where the Ameri-
can vice-counsel advised that his wife
and child be sent out Of the country.
This followed closely on the arrival
last night. on the border Of the Ameri-
can consul from Torreon, with large
number Of Americans.
Americans brought numerous dis
quoting stories about the attitude Of
Mexicans in the interior, especially in
Chihuahua. Durango and Coahuila.
Carranza officials. II was learned to-
day, have been discussing with some
concern whether American troops. dur
ing the Villa pursuit would have to
occupy any Mexican cities and the
effect Of such occupation upon Mexican
public sentiment
II IS estimated here that the cost Of
The Villa pursuit at present is up
ward Of $4,000 per day.
Flee Before Invading Army.
Mexican men. women and children
are fleeing from ranches and villages
Npon the approach Of the column OF
General Pershings American army
Cnsdvised Of the purpose Of the Amer
ican invasion, the. ignorant Mexicans
of the interior look upon the advance
Be the approach OF an enemy which will
destroy them.
Persons arriving here from the coun-
Try through which villa fed less than
week ago and through which the army
q General Pershing is supposed 20 be
pursuing him say the news Of the
American invasion is spreading before
The American army, couriers riding
from settlement 70 settlement TO warn
the natives that the "Rringoes" are
coming. villa himself told the natives
that the Americans were after him and
that he would draw them into the in
terror and destroy them, according 70
Mexican arrivals.
Despite the alright military censor
chip, which prevents the progress OF
the American column from being known
on the border. information Of more
" Tess rtIaDtf nature ~ beginning 10
reach border points from before the
army. No one has yet come in who
actually has seen the American forces
approaching. but from afar In the in
terror word b. coming out that the
columns are making good progress, TAX
ing advantage Of the brilliantly bright
moonlight nights 20 push the advance
between suns and resting only for brief
spells.
Villa Band Breaking Up.
The tao American columns should
meet not later than next Tuesday near
III sas Crandos. Possibly they may join
caTier. II they are fortunate they will
get many villa bands Of a score OF
more men each In the crescent which
the American troops are forming on tho
desert Fully fWO-thirds Of villas
army haa scattered since he made the
raid on Columbus Small bands have
scattered throughout the western ooun.
fFy, and these. ~ is thought, may be
har1saing the Americans and sniping
. them from safe distances as the
Americans pass.
Ie1icans Who, during Villas control
= Northern Mexico. we're actively en-
gaged 10 buying supplies and Ammu-
milton for b'T and In gathering re-.
erults for hiS forces along the border.