Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-20
YANKFORCES
PRESS ON IN
BANDIT DRIVE
Bandit Believed Slain in
Battle With Plane
Storms Hinder.

Maria, Texas, Aug. 2O.-With
exact location withheld for
military reasons, troops Of the
Eighth cavalry, u. S. A., be-
fore dawn today, resumed pur-
suit OF the Mexican bandits
who held American aYiatOrs
Davis and Peterson for ran-
som.
The Americans had n difiicult
task before them today be-
cause the heavy storm Of last
night had almost Obliterated
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.
Carranza Troop Help.
Mexican federal troops from the
Ojinaga garrison, opposite Preside,
are cooperating with American
troops in Mexico, according TO "a
message received by Colonel Lang
horne today from Don Cosme Ben
goehee, Mexican consul at Presi-
dio. The consul reported that Cen
eral Antonio Prueneda was send
ing cavalry troops in the direction
of San Antonio, Chihuahua, op-
posite Candelaria.
Possibility that the American
soldiers already have had their
first skirmish with the bandits was
indicated last night when two avt-
ators returned to the American
side with bullet holes in the plane
of their machine, and a report that
they had been attacked by a ban
dit gang Of three MeXicans, one OF
whom they believed they killed
with machine gun bullets. Another
was believed to have been wound
ed, and the third put to flight
More Planes Arrive.
First reports said the cavalry
was in pursuit of the remaining
bandit Communication was inter
rupted and no further word cama
from the expeditionary forces.
Four airplanes which arrived last
night from Fort Bliss, near FL
Paso, were to augment the air pro-
lection of the Sth cavalry in Mex
leo today.
Tells Of Battle.
A report was received here today
from Lieutenant Estill, pilot, and
Lieutenant Cooper, observer, dated
Preside, Texas, giving details OF
firing on their biplane by the Mex
lean bandits.
While flying over a Mexican
mountain trail. the American avi-
ators observed three mounted Mex
leans, riding south. The plane
swept down low to investigate.
Horse and Rider Fall.
The bandits opened fire with
rifles, bullets puncturing the
wings of the American machine.
Observer Cooper returned the fire
and saw one horse and rider fall. A
short time afterward, one horse
was observed standing without a
rider. The third horseman dis
mounted and disappeared into the
mountains. Neither aviator was
hurt.
Reports from all troops in tho
field in Mexico indicate progress is
being made in searching he noun
tain canyons and passes for the
bandits who held Lieutenants Pet
erson and Davis.
First Step in New Policy.
Washington, Aug. Mexican
border raids and depredauons by
bandits directly across the border.
evidence from official sources to-
day showed, will in the future
bring up in the capture Of the
marauders. The present punitive
expedition led by Major General
Joseph T. Dickman, commander OF
the southern department, IL was
learned constitutes the first step Of
the new policy, which Cue official
characterized as handling the
border question without gloves"
Interest in the present expedition
continued intense today at the wan
department. Dispatches were re-
ceived late yesterday from General
Dickman, but were not published.
Mexico Grants Permission.
Mexico City, Aug. 20.-American
aviators were given permission 10
cross the international frontier by
the Mexican government TO search
for Lieutenants Harold B. Peterson
and Paul H. Davis, who we're cap
tured by bandits, according to a
bulletin made public here tonight
by general Juan Barragan, chief OF
the presidential staff, The bulletin
makes no mention of any permis-
sion being given the United states
to send troops across the frontier.