Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-03-14
FIRST BLOW FROM
ARIZONA SECTOR
Report that Large Force Gathered
Near San Bernardino Will
Strike First.
PERsH1NG TALKS WITH eAvTRA


Ell PAso, March 1s.--1n spite Of
,ffirial denials reports persisted hers
today that American cavalry on the
Arizona state line had gathered for
immediate crossing OF the Mexican
border. and that they might 60
across at any moment today. An adj
vance guard Of several cavalry troops
was collected on that border two
days ago with the prospect that It
might be the first force into Mexico.
The point where the cavalry expedition
IL reported gathering today TO enter
Mexico on the Arizona boundary IL near
san Bernardino. Mex.
A reassuring conference was held here
today between Brigadief General John J.
Pershsng. commander OF the American
ezpedltionary force and General Gabriel
Cavira. carranza commander at Juarez.
During the conference word arrived from
Washington unofficislly that General
Carranza's request TO Cross the American
border might be granted. This news was
cordially received by General Gavira-
Conference nj Consulate.
This conferences was the first time that
the two commanders had ever met.
They came together in the office Of the
Mexican consulate. with Consul Garcia
a.. a third party. Nothing was given out
sfterward except OF n general nature.
Il have nothing 20 say except that the
meeting was entirely satisfactory" said
General Pershing.
General Gavira's comment was to the
same effect.
''If there IL anything TO he given out II
must come from General Pershing." said
Consul Garcia. after his visitors had left.
But when asked whether the discussion
was personal and informal or in their
capacity as officials Of their respective
governments he added what II partook OF
both.
Altogether il lasted about half an hour.
4 Great Activity On Border.
About 200 miles Of tho border. west OF
here. trains were reported passing va
rious points during the night. tho result
Of orders released Friday by the War de-
partment. What points except Columbus
might be used TO assemble pursuit coll
unns were not developed. but consider
able activity was noted on the Arizona
Vicinity OF a small Mexican settlement
called San Bernardino. In that region
several troops OF cavalry were reported In
readiness for action. A column entering
Mexico from one OF these Arizona points
would have a fairly direct route 70 the
mountain passes IN sonora. through
which. apprehension has been expressed,
that villa might escape from the Chihua-
hut territory into which he has retreated.
Carrnnsa Troops at Paiomas.
Nogaies reported that q few cannon had
been discovered In the Mexican hills fac
ing tho American boundary line here. but
ELSEWHERE along the line whore the Amer
'ican troops were gathering no aigns OF
disquieting activity along the Mexioan
side were reported. Reports hare that
army officers at Columbus were puzzled
At the attitude OF Cerranza troops q few
miles across the boundary were f1etiy do
nled upon Investigation. The army in
formation was that 1900 carransa troops
had gathered AZ Palomaa. about twelve
miles acres the line from Columbus, and
that the conduct Of these troops was ex-
emplary. These palomaa troops were |
part OF great ring which CarranEa Off |
GERS az Matamoros say they are drawing |
about the desert and mountain refugees Of |
villa. The northern sector OF this ring |
appears 20 be gathering In a position 10 |
mako Il rest between villa and tho az
scmbllng American columns on the Amer |
lean side Of tho border Reliable informa- |
ton came last night from American |
sources that the western side OF the ring |
had been much strengthened. and es-
pecially In the direction OF the 800 Amer |
lean Mormon coloniata near Casas |
Grnndes. about It's miles south OF the
border. whore Villas maneuvers has |
raised the fear that he intended to attack
the Americans. The carranzA authorities
have not reported any movement OF their
ring TO draw inward 20 enclose villa. but
have pointed out that lack Of railroad
facilities hampers them In moro speedy
Rction.
villa Near corralftoa.
Reports about Villas activity were
hazy but corralitos. within striking dis
tanco o. the railroad which the Mormons
might return 20 the United States re-
manned the last point from which he had
been definitely reported.
Aiding the military, other branches OF
the government service were active
throughout the night on Publications OF
Francisco villas trail. The dragnet for
villa sympathizers In ri Paso last night
resulted IN the arrest OF four generals.
one generals secretary a physician and
an American. The generals. all former
viila commanders. were Manuel Medi-
naveltia. once chief OF staff; Julio Fa-
buells. Samuel Rodriguez and Juan Rod
Eiguez. The American gave his name 20
the police az Z. A. Talbot. The physl-
clan. DIT. Viilareal. was formerly an 40
tive villa worker. General Medinaveitia
was the man whom villa sent 90 Juarex
70 execute General Thomas ornelas.
Juares commander. who villa suspected
as a traitor. ornelas escaped. but villa
caught him on a railroad train and full
flllend his orders.
Dcming. n. NJ. which became uneasy
after the Columbus raid. received last
night guards composed OF two companies
OF the Twentieth United States infantry
from Fort Bliss.