New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-22

and 4, hurrying 20 escape from the two
columns Of American troops rushed 70
Cruces and 70 MADEIRA 70 mead MIN or
Is credited on the border quite as nueh
as are the official Carranza reports
Confirmation OF that part OF the Car
rama report that said Colonel Cano
hsd mot and defeated Villa at Cruces,
.nn. miles north Of Namiquipa, was
socsived tonight from American
sonrces but il appears Villa received
rejnforcements near Namiquipa and es-
capped after a battle.
Americans May BE In Action.
II is true that Villa had clashed at
Namicuipa with Carranza troops IN
general battle it appears hlgnly prop
shle that BY this time his followers
49, come i'm contact with the Alneri-
can columns. The advance guard OF
the Americans was reported at FL vaiIe
Yesterday. only thirty-iive miles from
Nsmiouipa. II is not believed now
ever. that Villa would risk an open
6rht with General Pershing's troops,
but would split his men into small
parties and indulge In bis iaVori'e
guerilla tactics. H..
DESPITE reassuring reports from
Washington, there was no lessenlne 70
dav in the tension Llong the oordeI OF
any weakening IN the Freely eNpIeSsseo
belief that there was serious dlsanec-
tion among the Carrapza troops: Inc
nroposed protocol between the Amerl-
can Government and General Carranza
did not alter this opinion.
II was declared that the First Chlei
actions By no means reflected the atu-
tude or wishes of all the Mexican PEG
ple. and that large numbers OF the
froons under his command had been
former adherents Of Villa and other
factional chiefs, who still had strong
claims on their sympathies.
Border Situation Ominous.
Other developments to-day indicated
.bat tho American military authorities
here consider the situation along the
border as far from satisfactory. On
the advice of Captain Moses com
mander of the cavalry troop at Faoens'
thirty miles east Of here, DR.. Charles
R. Kicker, medical officer with me
troops, sent his wife and FAMILY 10 I'll
paso. They were followed by five other
American women residents, including
the two school teachers, who closed the
local schools. Captain Moses said, how
ever. that he had experienced no trouble
and did not anticipate any. tie said ne
had, advised the departure of Mrs.
Kicker and her children simply because
he did not believe scantily populated
points along the border were good
places for women and children at the
present time.
Texas Rangers and the cavalry pa
trolls have begun q roundup OF Mexlcans
along the frontier. who are suspected
of being Villa partisans and OF be-
.ro,ao,aA in gp1mnOlln0 ammunition
across the Rio Grande, practice that
is admittedly going on. Seven OF these
men were sent into l.! Paso to-day
from eastern frontier villages, and five
have been arrested at Isleta, twelve
miles east of here. At the latter place
the civilian residents say that the Gus
toms officials and rangers discovered
a plot 10 ship machine guns across the
border. Arrests were made, but the
authorities refused to make any state
ment as TO whether guns had been
seized or had reached Mexico.
Conditions in Sonora Serious.
In the meantime the situation in So
nora becomes increasingly serious, due
10 the action Of Military Governor 7,
Elias Allies, who is said 10 have entered
upon campaign TO drive from the
state all persons connected IN any way
with the tCientifco" or old Diaz party
The gravest fears are felt as 70 the
possible effect OF his actions on Amer
lean and other foreign interests. His
demand that the Colorado Mining Cou-
pany, of New York, reopen its mines al
Hermosillo has been followed by al
announcement that decree was about
10 be issued cancelling all concessions
granted in the Huerta and villa
This decree will affect many mining
companies, public utilities corporations
and other concerns which Americans
and other foreigners either contro! oil
are interested in. At the same time h'
has ordered all the Catholic clergy
from the state. One Of his recent proc
lamations, couchcd in fiery language
called upon the people TO "exterminat'
the breed OF Cientiheos," which, NJ
declared, were responsible for the I'M
poverishment Of the people and all the
evils which have overtaken Mexico"
Interesting sidelights on how The
American soldiers are faring IN Mexico
N are reaching here through members o.
the expeditionary force who are SEN
4 back from the front as couriers. They
Say there Is considerable suffering OF
account Of the intense heat Of the da!
and the sharp cold at night. Some o.
the officers have ordered sleeping coat
lined with lambs wool. The infantry
men are especially affected by the sand
and many are suffering with swollei
and blistered feet caused by the grain
sitting into their shoes while on IN
march.