The Topeka state journal., 1919-08-20
PLANE ENGAGES
OUTLAW PARTY
BELOW BORDER
First Contact of U. S. Troops
With Mexicans Reported.
Killed One Bandit, Wounded
AnOther-PIane RiddIed.
9TH CAVALRY RESUMES HUNT
Cloudburst Makes Search for
Renteria's Band Difficult.
Capt. Matlack Says He's Going
To Recover Rest of Ransom.
USE NO GLOVES IN FUTURE
Border Raids VIII In Future
Draw u. S. Attack.
Government AbandOnS Watch
fnI Waiting Attitude.
ClOudburst Makes Search for
Renteria's Band Difficult.
Capt. MatIack Says He's Going
To Recover Rest of Ransom.
USE NO GLOVES IN FUTURE
Border Raids VIII In Future
Draw U. S. Attack.
Government AbandOns Watch
full Waiting Attitude.

Maria. Aug. 2O.-Mexican federal
troops from the Ojinaga garrison op-
posite Pesidio. Texas. are cooperating
with American troops in Mexico, ac-
cording to a message received by Col.
Langhorne today from Don Cosme.
Maria, Aug. 2O.-with their exact
location withheld for military reasons,
troops OF the Eighth cavalry. u. S. A.
before dawn today resumed pursuit
OF the Mexican bandits who held
American Aviators Davis and Peterson
for ransom.
The Americans had a difficult task
before them today because the heavy
storm of last night had almost oblit-
Grated trails of the bandits.
The country over which the troops
were operating is infested with small
bands of Villa followers who have
been roaming in the mountain valleys
and canyons since part of Villas band
left him after the American forces
crossed to Juarez on June IS.
Plane Fought Bandits.
The only contact reported with
Mexicans was by the pilot Of one
plane which returned to Maria with
bullet-riddled wings. The aviators
reported that they had been attacked
by a bandit gang of three Mexicans.
one Of whom they believed they killed
with machine gun bullets. Another
was believed to have been wounded
and the third put to flight.
First reports said the cavalry was
in pursuit of the remaining bandit,
but communication was interrupted,
and no further word came from the
punitive forces.
Going To Get Rest OF Ransom.
Captain Matlack. who paid $500 of
the $4,000 ransom and galloped off
with Lieutenant Davis to the stupefied
surprise of the bandits. said before
leading his forces back into Mexico:
I'm going to get back that money"
The intrepid ISentuckian. with a
record of eighteen years in the regular
army. is leading his men over one of
the widest districts OF northern Mex
leo. cut up by arroyas, jagged noun
tains and marked by deserts. The
troops carried only meager rations on
mule packs. A field wireless to Can
delaria and thence a field telegra phi
wire to Colonel LanEhOrne's head
quarters in Maria is their only means
of communication.
Expect DlclrTnan Today.
with canyons and hills affording
the bandits many possible hiding
places the American troops are con-
frOnted by difficult task. But mil
itary authorities are hopeful that Rem
teria's band will he overtaken. They
believe the bandits will be captured
or killed.
Maj. Gen. J. T. Dickman. command
er OF the southern department. is ex-
pected to reach Maria today to direct
the border operations in the Big Bend
district. Colonel Royce, chief aviation
officer under Dickman, has already
arrived in Maria.
-Four More Planes Arrive.
Four airplanes which arrived last
night from Fort Bliss. near FL Paso
were to augment the air protection
OF the Eighth cavalry in Mexico today
The rains last night are believed tc
have wiped out the trails OF the ban.
dts, but Il was not without its ad-
vantages. however. for the softened
condition OF the earth would make
fresh trails. more easily discernible
than the trails made previous to the
Planes Fight With Bandits.
Maria, Aug 2O.--A report was re.
ceived here today from Lieutenant
Estill, pilot. and Lieutenant Cooper
observer. dated Presidio Texas. givins
details Of firing on their biplane by tht
Mexican bandits. While flying over Z
Mexican mountain trail. the American
aviators observed three Mexicani
mounted. riding south. The plan,
swept down low to investigate
The bandits opened fire with rifles
Bulela puhCtuteu lne wings OF tht
American machine. Observer Coopel
-eturned the fire and saw one hors,
and rider fall A short time afterwar,
one horse was observed standing with
out a rider. The third horseman dis
mounted and climbing up the side o
the mountain disappeared. Neithe
aviator was hit.
Reports from all troops in the fiel,
In Mexico indicate progress is beinl
made in searching the mountain can
yons and passes for the bandits VIII
held Aviators Peterson and Davis.
L. S. Changes Attitude.
Washington, Aug. 2O-Afexfca,
border raids and depredations b
bandits. directly across the border. evi
dence from, official sources toda
showed. WIN in the future bring upo
the marauders the armed forces of tn
(Continued on PaGe Two.l =