Evening journal., 1916-03-17
.SLOCUM'S Cavalry
NOW NEARS PALOMAS
BY The rnitod Press.


FL PAsO. Texas. March IL. Swal-
lowed un IN ihe hills and deserts Of
Northern chihuahua, the United
States expedition OF two divisions was
secking villa today. while it's move
monts were screened by an almost
mpcnctrUhlc censorship.
Driving along the eastern slope OF
the Sierra Msdres. the Seventh and
Tenth Regiments Of cavalry under
Colonel Dodd. were expected TO ar
rive al Colonia Dublan today. and.
nndina the Mormons there safe, were
10 continue on forced marches to-
ward Casas Grandcs IN AN attempt 10
cut on Villas retreat across the
mountains into Sonora.
Colonel Slocum's column OF cav
airy, infantry and artillery We're NOV
ing slowly south OF palOmas. They
were possibly 90 be joined today by
the seven aviators from Columbus, n.
NJ Reports brought here by persons
who visited Columbus told of practice
flights there yesterday preliminary TO
their soaring southward today TO act
as scouts. Their bomb-dropping abil-
ity was to be restricted for the pres
cnt. owing TO the large number OF
Carranza troops in the Casas Grandes
country also on Villas trail.
That Colonel Dodd's dying squad
ron may be too late 10 cut off villas
retreat TO his secret hiding places IN
the Sierra Madres was indicated in a
report from Aqua prieta that villa al
ready had crossed over into Sonora.
This was considered a premature
rumor here.
Carranza cavalry had been sta
toned TO euafd The principal passes
over the rugged range Of mountains.
Reports from Prosidio, Texas. in the
big Bend country east Of here told
of renewed bandit raids by villa
sympathi1ers on American soil.
II was reported that thousands OF
MoNicans I'm the great stretch of open
country south OF presidio were ready
To- Join the villa standard against the
invaders
Descrtions Of Carranza soldiers
Throughout chihuahua also were re-
ported although no specific act Of op-
position hy Carranzista troops
against the American expedition has
got hccn confirmed
The rumOred revolt OF the Ohnaga
garrison and the assassination OF its
commander have been officially de-
nied Shippers. presumably Villa
synnainizers. fred on Texas and
Pacific railroad near the Alfalfa
switch. cast OF El Paso. but no one
was injured. There is no confrma
iicu of reports that snipers have pick
ed OH members OF the American ex
petition IN Mexico. Nillista band
were recently reported ahead Of Col
Oncl Dodd's column and unofficial re
ports OF skirmishes were expected
hourly.
Fesrs are generally held alons III
border that before the Americans ca
take villa dead or alive all MeXic
wcrlt rise up IN arms against tn
'gringoes." There has been no indi
cation OF opposition from tho Carranz
officials I'm Chihuahua. who hope &
have the bandit facing one Of their FIR
ing squads before the American expo
difion can close m on him.
While Carranza soldiers were actin
as scouts and Otherwise cO-operatin
with the expedition. General Gavir;
commandant in Juarez. stated ths
American troop would not be permit
ted 90 garrison any Mexican cities o
towns during the pursuit of Villa.
General Bertan. placed in comman
~ the Cairanza pursuit in the Ca
cana district where Villa Eas last rr
nortc6~ seen. joined his cavalry q
Casas Grandeg today. civil authorize
inclined 10 doubt the sincerity q Car