El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-11-15
KEEPING CLOSE
TAB ON BORDER
United Army Takes Pre-
cautions to Prevent
Villista Raids.

With Francisco Villa and his ban
dts in control Of the Mexican border
from Preside to near Guadalupe,
distance Of approximately 200 miles,
Col Horauo G. Sickel. commanding
the United States troops in the FL
Paso district, is taking every precau-
tion TO guard against any attempt
by the bandits to raid American towns
and ranches along the Rio Grande.
The border is well patroled by Amer
lean forces. whose officers are keep
ing a careful watch on the move
ments Of the bandits on the opposite
side OF the international line.
Reports received at military head
quarters Thursday morning from the
commanding officer at Preside were
D the effect that Gen. Juan EspinOsa
COrdOva and 800 men Of the Ojinaga
garrison evacuated that place We'd
uesday night at $50 and surrendered
to the American soldiers at Preside.
They are confined in a stOckade, to-
getler with a horde Of civilians who
rded the river 70 escape the attack
OF the NlllstaS. The government
forces surrendered their arms and
ammunition and viii likely be sent
% Maria, It was said
Repulse Mexicans Near YsIeta.
JuareZ is said 20 be evident by the
appearance Of a small body Of men al
the border near Fsleta Wednesday
night Appearing suddenly at the Rio
.rande they opened fire on an Amer
lean patrol. which returned the fire
and two MeXicans were seen to fan
from their horses Whether they were
killed or wounded mas not been as
Certained by the American military.
The bandits retired
q
Nillistas is camped within a short dis
lance Of Guadalupe and the Mexican
patrol southeast Of Juarez has been
doubled 10 prevent surprise attack
The approaches TO JuareZ on the west
and south are guarded
JuHrez Has Excitement.
JuareZ was excited Wednesday
night when il was reported Villa had
captured Ojiuaga- Shortly before 10
o'clock q Mexican patrol on the river
fired several shots at party OF men,
believed TO be smugglers. who at
tempted TO ford the stream The shots
almost caused a panic Dancers 1t
the Casino fled from the fiesta and
there was mad rush for the inter
national bridges by FL PasO Mexicans
vine We're attending the dance. Sew
eral men and women Of JuareZ hastily
crossed
NillIstns Strong in chihuahua.
villa bandits dominate nearly half
OF the state of Chihuahua. including
number of towns. one port and 200
miles OF border territory fronting the
Rio Grande. according to reports re-
ceived by United States government
corporations Villisras are said TO be
in possession Of nearly all the rich
agricultural land along the Rio Flor
ida and more west of Chihuahua city,
as wei as many Of the smaller com
muuiries in northern Durango.
Crops In; Bandits Venture.
Information received by American
mining men here is 90 the effect that
along the Rio Florida. which flows
into the Conchos at santa Rosalia-
and have cached IN the mountains
plenty Of food for q winter campaign
Their mounts are in good condition
and they are reported TO have plenty
OF ammunition II is believed here
that villa has either in his command
or at his call between 1000 and 50ee
men, and plenty OF money.
Villa Mt san Antonio, Report.
Government agents familiar with
Villa tactics believe that both he and
his brother. HipOlito. are at san An
tonic south of OjinaEa- Villa, real
iZing his unpppularIty with the Amer
lean people since the Columbus mas
sacre. is believed by government
agents TO be keeping fin the back
ground, while his lieutenant. Martin
Lopez. directed the attack and capture
OF Ojinaga-
Have No Information.
At the Mexican consulate in FL Paso b
and at military headquarters in Jua- .
rex 10 was said Thursday morning that
no official information had been re- I
ceived from Ojinaga regarding the /
evacuation by the government forces
and the capture Of the port by bandits. 1
Andres Garcia. inspector OF consul /
aces. and G.. n SeEuin. consul general. I
said the only Information they have
received is from press dispatches from /
Preside. Mr.. Garcia said he expected /
large force To la Mula pass TO attempt I
TO cut off the escape to the south OF
the bandits and make an effort 20 /