Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1919-08-20
With Five Hours Start Rain is in Favor of Fleeing Out
 laws.
ONLY PART OF RANSOM
 MONEY IS SURRENDERED
Country is Wild and Every Mile of 1t Will Have to Be Searched By Fan-Like F0rma-
 ton.

Maria, Texas, Aug. l9.-Eighth United States cavalry troops spread out over a wide extent of Mexican country south of the Rio Grande to- day, combed the mountains for ban bits who held Lieuts. H. G. Peterson and Lieut.. P. H. Davis for ransom. The troops were guided in their quest by the two lieutenants, who went into Mexico, also for the purpose of iden- tifying the bandits.
 The two Americans whose capture by the Mexicans brought the Amer- can soldiers acros sthe border were returned to the United States early today when Texas clttlemen paid half of ransom of $15,000, demanded for their release. The money was taken to the bandit rendevouz by Captain Matlack of the Eighth cav airy.
 Captain Matlack brought back with him one half the ransom money. He said after Peterson had been released, Davis was brought forward by the bandits and the two mounted Captain Matlack's horse The bandits de- manded the remainder of the ransom money and Captain Matlack and Davis answered by riding rapidly away.
 The bandits, with five hours and half start on the American punitive expedition, are believed to have scat tered in the mountain passes and canyons. It will be necessary |. search every square mile of the rough country below the border, in the opin- ion of officers, to find the men.
 American aviators who left the flying field here early today, were scouting the entire Ojinaga district. Because of the nature of the coun- try, it is believed it will be a diff cult task to locate the bandits, from the air.
 Storm Is Handicap.
 Mexican federal troops from Oji- naga are acting to prevent clash between the American forces and Carranza's men.
 After the forward dash over the border today, the troops probably are handicapped tonight by storm which was reported in messages by field telephone to be raging in the mountains below the border. It was feared the torrential rains would obliterate trails left by the bandits. The expeditionary force for a time moved forward in the face of high winds, according to the re- ports.
 It is not known how many are in the bandit band. Lieutenant Davis and Lieutenant Peterson saw six men. There are 20 other bandits at ranch where the bandits stopped. The American aviators were told the band numbered 60, headed by Jesus Renteria. The bandits had Ameri- can-made ammunition. The reported appearance. of Chico l Cano and other small bands of out laws along the Mexican side of the river yesterday is believed to have been connected with Renteria's activi- l ties.
 i All suspicious Mexicans picked up by the troops on the Mexican side, will be questioned closely to estab- fish identity.
 1 Elmer Donnell of St. Louis, direc- tor of military relief for the American Red Cross, is here arranging for nurses, ambulances and surgical dressing for the punitive expedition troops if needed.
 A report from the expedition in- dicate that pursuit had continued throughout the day, but that there l had been no contact with the ban-8 dits.
 H. M. Fennell, banker of this city arrived late today and announced that the amount of ransom actually paid for release of the Lieutenants was $8,5OO Fennell took the $15,0OO de- manded to Candelaria, yesterday. He declared a recount of the money brought back by Captain Matlack af- ter releases of the aviators showed $6,500 remained.
 Aviators Elated.
 Fennell today told the first con- nected story of events preceding the, crossing of the American aviators to the United States today. He outlin- ed preliminary negotiations Monday between Captain Matlack and the Mexican brother -in-law of Renteria, who acted as a go-between.
 Fennell said the bandits insisted of delivery of the aviators be made after dark so flares might be seen. Tho go between crossed to San Antoni0s l Chihuahua, opposite Candelaria and selected the spot where the aviatora lwere to be delivered. It was an 0ld sl ffcnfin,,ad M na0a aix.l sg ss Ss