Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-08-26
AMERICAN TROOPS
lose THE BANDITS
To Avoid Clash With Federals and Re-
cause Rains had Obseured Trails
Soldiers Reer0ssed Bordcs
EXPEDITION DOES VERY LITTLE
One Of Many Such Incidents Closes.
hut Tension rs Result Of Banditry
on the Border Is Growing

Another pltiful chapter I'm our rela-
tons with Mexico was closed when the
expedition which has been pursuing
benoits since last Thursday was with.
drnwn. OF course, like all the rest il
was failure 80 far as tending 10 a
permanent solution OF the question
that Is growing in proportions as the
years 20 by.
The expedition which was ordered
yesterday TO withdraw from Mexico
penetrated farther into Mexican terri
tory than any since the punitive expe,
dillon was sent across the border under
General John J. Pershing, on March 30.
1916, in pursuit Of Francisco Villas
bandit band.
That expedition, which followed the
villa raid ON Columbus, N. NJ, IN which
IL persons were killed, was composed
OF 1000 men who marched more than
200 miles into the territory Of the
southern republic Several clashes be-
tween United States troops and villa
followers resulted With the Villa
bands dispersed, the expedition with.
drew February 8, 1917.
On several other occasions In the
past two years small detachments OF
troops have been sent across the bor-
der In pursuit Of marauding bands. On
August "a, 1918, American and Mexi-
can troops fought two hours ut Nogales
Arizona, following a clash between
custom house guards. An American
officer and one American soldier were
killed and % others wounded The
Mexican losses were 119 killed. Dur
ing the attack Of villa forces on Juarez
Brigadier General James b. Erwin, on
June Is, last, ordered 5000 United
States troops TO cross from FL Paso,
10 prevent firing from the Mexican side
into III Paso. The order was issued af-
ter several persons, including soldiers
had been hit by Mexican bullets. After
a short engagement In which the villa
troops were driven from the vicinity OF
Juarez, the American troops were with
drawn June 10.
Three hundred American cavalry
troops OF the expedition last night were
making their way back 10 the Rio
Grande through driving rainstorm af-
ter unsuccessful campaign begun last
Tuesday TO overtake the bandits who
captured and held for ransom Lieu
tenants Harold @. Peterson and Paul
II. Davis.
The first Of the expedition to cross
the border ON the return TO the United
States the pack and supply trains,
reached Ruidaso shortly after 8 80
o'clock last night, according TO phone
advices. The remainder Of the expedi-
tion followed.
Contact with Carranza soldiers also
on the trail Of the bandits and heavy
rain which wiped out the fresh trails
resulted In. decision to abandon the
chase. The main federals were encoun-
tered hast night by scout patrol and
after conference, army officers de-
cided to abandon the pursuit until this
morning. In the meantime, the rain
had wiped out the trail OF the bandits.
who were only few hours ahead OF
the Americans.
Back In Single Column
The punitive expedition Is making
the return In single column with three
cavalry troops leading the pack trains.
machine gun troops and other units fol-
lowing. The troops are acting rs rear
guard.
Six days below the border resulted In
the killing OF four bandits by troops
and death OF one by machine gun bull
lets from an airplane. Nine bandits,
said to he part OF the Renteria hand,
were captured at Coyame. In a dance
by Carranza soldiers.
Reports that Jesus Renteria, leader
Of the bandits, had been killed were
brought 10 the border today but could
not be confirmed.
The American punitive expedition
into Mexico was deferred from continu-
ing the pursuit OF Mexican bandits who
held the American aviatnrs for ransom,
by the presence OF Carranza troops six
miles north OF Coyame, Chin, Saturday
according TO report made by Captain
Leonard Matlack OF the Eight Cavalry
here tonight here tonight TO Colonel
George T. Langhorne, commander Of
the Big Bend district
American scouting parties discovered
the proximity OF patrol of 10 Mex
can federals, and later learned there
were $50 more CarranSa soldiers fur
ther ON along the only trail the Amer
leans could follow. To avoid q clash
the American forces then began TO re-
turn 10 the United States, according to
Captain Matlack's report, which was
submitted to Colonel fanghorne during
an inspection trip along the river
Renteria's Death Confirmed
The odash OF Jesus Renteria. leader
OF the band Of outlaws that captured
Lieutenants II. G. Peterson and Paul
n. Davis, aviators, Is believed TO have
been confirmed. Lientenants r. n.
Cooper and Frank EstIn killed the ban
dit chieftain with machine gun bullets.