Omaha daily bee., 1916-03-19

Las Cruces, 11O miles south or Casas
Grandes, according to information
received today by General Gabriel
Gavira, Carranza commander at
Juarez.
Ell PASO, Tex, March 1S.-
American cavalrymen we're camped
at dawn today at Colonia Dublan,
one OF the environs of Casas Gran
des. They arrived in the night.
Through Colonia Dublan runs the
road 10 the Galena district, twenty
five miles southeast, where villa
was last definitely reported.
The news of the encampment at
CoIonia Dublan dlspelled fears of
and disputes with constitutionalist
authorities over what position the
American troops should occupy at
Casas Grandes Mormon scout out
riders dashed into Colonia Dublan
last night with news that the Amer
leans were near. The column which
was first into this important Amer
lean settlement was said to be the
cavalry from Hachita.
New Problem Arises.
A new problem faced the American
troops in Mexico as they entered the re
gion where Villas trail is scarcely thre
DAYS old. This problem came, not from
the villa chase, but from the attitude
the Carranza authorities that they did no
wish the Americans to occupy any Mexi
can city.
In making his announcement that h
had asked the Americans not to ente
or occupy Casas Grandes. the city who's
possession means safety to the America
Mormon colonlsts OF that region, Genera
Gabriel Gavira commandant at Juarei
expressed no vexation at the presence Q
| troops in his territory, but he was yer
| firm in his announcement that under hi
present instructions from General Cai
rama he has no power 60 modify the oi
ders to his troop against permitting tn
occupation OF cides. The general offere
no comment on what he would do pre-
vided the American troops occupied
Memixan city.
Dispatches direSt from Mexico and III
official announcement from Major Ger
eral Funston made II exident toady this
the two American columns. one from OK
| lunabua, N. NJ. under General Pershini
and the other from Hachita, N. M, III
| der Colonel Dodd. had gotten into cloi
! communication with each other. an
probably had formed an actual junctio
when q little more than half way on II
route TO Casas Grandes.
T strategy BecOming Apparent. 3
Something of the strategy Of the dai
on Villas trail also was apparent. ~
Hachita column made sts actual ste
from san BernardIno ranch which is
the little square OF territory about {
size Of a large county. whore the sta
OF New Mexico extends some forty mil
south OF the general east and west III
OF the American border BY using II
American territory for the first part
their advance from Hachita. the flyll
cavalry command of Colonel Geor
Dodd was able to strike into Mexico
the shortest distance from Casas Grand'
a little more than sixty miles of marc
The main column under General Pershi
at Columbus. N. NJ, starting from
point considerably further distant frc
Casas Grandes, did not go due south. b
apparently veered 20 tho westward TO 8
into touch with the cavalry comma
from Hachita-
Reports here that Pershing's army 1
tended 10 establish a base at GuEnlI
were discounted in dispatches yesterdI
that Guxman was st!ll held by Carran
troops and that the American column
were marching about twenty-five miles
the westward. This would put them We
close TO the route OF tho cavalry. COT
mand of Colonel Dodd. Guzman is
important oonstitutionalist garrison tow
about thirty miles directly south OF Il
point where General Pershing enter
Mexico, and by going past It TO the we
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