Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-25
PERSHING STILL SILENT
AS TO RUMORED BATTLE
Though Wireless Again Is Working,
Commander Sends No Word =
of Fighting. al
BORDER UNEAsNEss GROWING
Several Towns Appeal for Additional
Protection. and United States
Troops Are Dispatched in
Response.

Ell PASO, Tex. March 25.-
Francisco Villa was reported
early today to be fleeing west in
the San Miguel country, having
successfully eluded the encircling
ring that was being drawn around
him by American and Carranza
troops.
News OF the outlaws retreat
westward was brought here from
Ell Vale, but could not be con-,
irmed at Fort Bliss or in Mexican
official circles.
Wireless Working Again.
SAN ANTONIO, Tex. March 25.-with
the wireless working satisfactorily for
almost tho first time since American
troops have been in Mexico. Gen. Funs-
ton today is awaiting dispatches from
Gen. Pershing to confirm reports that
United States troops have engaged
Villa forces near Namiquipa.
In messages received yesterday from
field headquarters at casas Grandes,
two OF the American advanced columns
were reported to be in the vicinity of
Namiquipa, but no mention was made
of an engagement
Report of Three Murders.
The reported killing of three AmerA
leans near Gibson's ranch, fifteen miles
west of Columbus. presumably by
Mexican bandits, was received with
deep concern at department headauar-
rers today. Official advices on the re-
port are awaited.
No explanation was offered of the
report from Ell Paso that two COM
panies OF the eth Infantry were on duty
at police headquarters last night.
1t was pointed out by officers that
Brig. Gen Bell in command of troops
at Ell Paso has authority to employ his
troops for the best protection of the
border town.
In answer to protests from residents
at Preside, Maria and Del Rio. Ten,
for more protection, Maj. Gen. Funston
today announced that d battalion OF
the cath Infantry, now on the way
here from Fort u. A. Russell. VIII be
stationed in that district
One company will go to Maria, re-
nj "
will go to Preside. opposite ojinaga.
Mex, and two companies will 20 TO
Del Rio for patrol duty along the
Southern Pacific railway. Another com
pany will be stationed at F'abens. near
Ell Paso.
Col. Foltz. commanding the troops at
Douglas. today disposed of the rumor
that CarranZa troops We're being
massed along the border there. He
ported that the garrison at Aqua
Prieta. opposite--Douglas comprised
only 200 officers and men and that
there was but one battery of artillery.
Situation More Puzzling.
Ell PASO, Tex, March 25.-Ths re-
iterated claim that Francisco Villa WAS
surrounded. made at Mexico City early
today in a message received there from
Gen. Luis Gutierrez. Carranzas COM
mander-in-chief, only served to make
the situation in the field more puzZling
from the viewpoint of the border. Ac-
cording to the kilograms from Gen. Ber-
tani, made public here by Consul Gar
cia, the American columns We're CO.
operating with the Carranza forces
and formed part of the circle drawn
around the bandit chief. Gen. Cutter
reZ, however. made no reference 10
Gen. Pershings troops
The most curious feature of the whole
situation, the question why Gen. PERISH
ing made report on the battles said
to have been fought, remained unsolv-
ed. While the story of the surround
ing of Villa and his followers might
that the American columns have pene-
trated the territory where the Villa
bands operating, and word is
eagerIy awaited from Gen. Pershing of
the first clash between the bandits and
the troops of the United States.
Known to Be on Trail.
Several thousand American soldiers
are known to be searching the country
south of Casas Grandes. and in every
direction TO locate the bandit. but have
not come into contact with him.
Wire communication out of EI Paso
mo IS Stlfl upleu. A.
IS believed that rowing bands of villa
men are responsible for the wire cut
ing. having been detached from the
main villa command for this purpose.
Mexican Consul Garcia was still with
,ut further word of the reported fight
he CarranZa soldiers had with Villa
It Ell Oso. south of Namiquipa.
Dispatches received at Mexico city
and Douglas, Ariz, apparently con-
irm reports to Ell Paso from Gen. Ber-
ami. in the field. that the troops of
he de facto government had come
nto contact with Villa in the Santa
Clara canyon. Gen. Pershing has
made no mention of this battle. and
lrmy oficera here incline 20 the belief