Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-03-17
VILLA 100 MILES IN
FRONT OF ADVANCING
AMERICAN COLUMNS
CONTINUED From Page u

exception, cleared away when the Amer
leans passed through the town.
The censor has asked all correspond
ents filing by mail not to disclose mill
tary movements or details as to num-
bers of troops, saying that to make pub
lie questions of such military impor-
lance might mean a loss of American
lives Tnis rule applied only to mail
matter, as not even the general facts of
the crossing have been allowed to go
over the telegraph wires, which are
under military control.
The column leaving Columbus was
thoroughly equipped for all conditions
that might arise, and represented all
arms of the service.
ON Inh DESERT.
The military censorship which has
been Tightening its grip on the border
tor some days permitted practically
nothing but rumors to escape, but it
was fairly well established that the
advance corps of the American eXpedi-
ton had camped last night in the heart
of the desert which lies between the
point of entry and the foothills of the
sierra Madres, the vast range of noun
tains in the Businesses of which Villa
rs believed to have taken refuge.
But the interest of the border in the
American advance was practically over
the presence of the soldiers of the
United States on Mexican soil would be
taken by the troops of Carrahza, Gen.
eral Gales, the military governor of
Sonora, was the imam of the hour"
His t'Oops, Variously estimated at from
10000 to 10000 men, garrisoned the
frontier, towns and the immediate in
terror of the section into which tho
American soldiers had entered. For
days reports and Tumors that Gales
troops were dTsaffected and bitterly re-
senIed the pursuit of Villa by American
soldiers have flooded this region. The
definite announcement that the stars
ana stripes had been carried over the
international line by armed forces in
creased these rumors and reports to q
deluge out of which 1t was almost i'm
possible to pick whatever grains of
ruth might exist. r.
FEELING OF POPULACE.
This &c seemed no question that a con-
siderable portion of the Mexican SOL
diers and civilians in the north of the
republic were bitterly hostile to the
action of the United States. The higher
civil and military authorities of the
Carranza government showed every de-
sire to prevent friction but it re-
mains doubtful whether they can con-
troll the masses of the population in the
northern district, who are becoming
very restless, due to the sedulous prop
uganda against Americans which is be-
ing carried on among them from I'M
known sources.
Cananea and Ojinaga are the storm
centers. 1t was reported today from
Douglas that five hundred picked men
had been rushed to the former town by
General Gales owing to alarming ac-
counts Of the situation there which
teached him. OJinaga has been the tar
get of the most sensational rumors TO"
two days. Persistent reports continue
that the garrison there has revolted
and murdered Colonel Rojas, the com
mander, and Carranza officials at JuareZ
admit that they have failed to estab-
lish any satisfactory communication
with that point.
AS far as Ell Paso and Juarez are
concerned. absolute quiet prevails, but
the feeling on both sides of the bor-
der is tense. Strict precautions are
being taken by the authorities in the
two cities to avert any excuse for an
outbreak.
1t was stated at the headquarters or
General Gavira, Carrana commander at
Juarez, today that no information has
been received of any Carranza troops
having joined the American expedition.
General Bertani, who was reported to
have Joined General Pershing, arrived
here last night with seventy-five men,
from Guzman.