Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-24
People Who Have Sold Food
10 Americans Are Likely tOI
Be Killed, Is Belief Of United
States Officers
M0T0RCYCLlST HAS
CLOSE CALL FOR LIFE
Dodges Behind Gate and
Fights Off Three Mexican
AssaiIantSi Towns Are
Cleared Up,

Inv nosHi.s iousnAL SPECIAL tfbasp wiHRl
Field Headquarters IN Mexico, Aprii
y (hy Aeroplanc to Columbus, \. NJ,
AprlI 23)--ln weeks riding ana
fooi-climbing through the hills and
canyons Of the Guerrero district. "A cav
airy squadron reported today the dis
eoyory Of much evidence that the VII
listns in the northern part 81 Villas
old territory arc thoroughly scattered,
They found the Influence OF these
bandits nevertheless still strong Nth
the people.
one day this cavalry rode along a
mesa, 5000 feet IN altitude. u narrow
almost level plain between two noun
tain ranges on the eastern side OF
tho mesa was fringe Of low bushes,
several miles long. apparently border
Ing the foot of the eastern mountains.
Tho cavalry yocred into these BUSH
es for search, and az their further
edge camo abruptly upon u canyon,
fully thousand feet deep which shut
them Off from the mountains.
yellow with Dead Grass.
The mesa and the surrounding
mountains were yellow with dead
grass. awaiting the coming OF spring
In the high altitude, but at the bottom
OF the canyon lay long valley, bril-
liant In the green Of new crops, grass
and trees In leaf. a stream ran the
length Of this valley, with Mexican
n5t..l.. lo4.tIt.... d.tttn.. 40 l,anLe "a {
intervals for miles. Most Of the can-
yon sides were inaccessible, but with
trails leading up the slopes ever five
or ton miles.
The envalrymen took one of these
trails. Descending they noted re-
peaiedly the footprints Of Mexican
ponies, which had assembled this trail.
soldier or Baudil.
ln most Of this Guerrero region, a
man on horseback IN invariably Il
Carranxa soldier or bandit. The
cavalrymen knew no Carranza patrols
had been that way They found plnin
evidences that men had eampcd at the
hacienda Nevertheless. Il required
all the balance OF the day, NJ careful
and adroit questioning and some
sharp talking. 20 gain from any Mex
lean on the hacienda the bare admis-
slon that bandits had stopped there,
That was every scrap Of Information
which could he cleaned
Feared Retaliation.
The cause of this rcticence was re-
tallaiion by the bandits. Many Amer
can officers. although noting the cold.
ness of the Mexican population and
the flat refusal OF most Mexieans to
give any aid IN the villa pursuit, have
become convinced that when the
American troops are withdrawn. most
Of the few Mexicans who have been
courteous TO the Americans viii be
killed by these bandits. Even MeSi-
cans who have sold food too freely to
the Americans are considered likely
to have forfeited their lives
Many Captures Made.
Most OF the bandits now are living
in the mountains IN groups OF two
and three, ana often aingly taking
their food from friends, OF by threats
/ from peaceful Mexicans, The caval-
/ rynen have captured good many OF
these men, but II has been extremely
difficult TO find any evidence on
which 60 hold them as prisoners Oc.
caslonally the bandits make Their
presence known TO the eavalrymen bs
"A few long range shots. Thus far moi
one American has been hit in the
sniping. A motorcycle rider, carrying
/ dispatches through a mountainous re.
gion. had one OF the closest calls,
Saved by Gate Post
Three mounted men, concealed be.
/ hind an adobe house which he had
1 to pass, dashed out at him. leapcd
from their horses ana opened fire on
/ him with rifles at twenty five yards
They mt the machine hut did moi
damage IT, The dispatch rider. with
"A squirt, gained the cover of gate
post Oates are rarities in this sec
ton, hut when they are constructed
they are massive enough To last halt
IN century without repairs. The gate
post behind which this messenger
took cover WIS made from a tree Nv,
feet In diameter With his pistol the
dispatch rider opened fire and druv,
the MeNioans Off. although he could
not tell whether he hit any of them.