Omaha daily bee., 1919-06-16
Americans Ford
Rio Grande to Stop
Firing on Ell Paso

fcCeralS were apparently NOT eX
pecting an attack before dark, thc
cutter line of trenches were thinly
manned and it was necessary for
federal troops to withdraw toward
the town proper, carrying their
machine guns and boxes of Mauser
ammunition with them.
Reinforcement Hurried.
Then reinforcements were hurried
from the flats to the west of town,
where no military activity had yet
occurred. Other reinforcemen:s
were marched down the steep hill
from Fort Hidalgo and engaged the
advancing enemy.
After six hours of fighting since
last midnight, Villas forces we e
slowly withdrawing from Juarez al
E o'clock Sunday morning.
Shortage of ammunition on the
part of Villas forces, coupled with
a dashing cavalry charge down Com
mercio street by Colonel Escobar's
forces, is believed to have caused
the Villa withdrawal toward the
eastern suburbs of the town.
Carranza troops controlled the
center of the city early Sunday with
cavalry still pursuing Villa.
The tide of battle followed for
Villa until after ) o'clock Sunday
morning. When the rebel fire died
away. retirement was begun, with
the federals in pursuit.
Since daylight the firing has been
desultory on both sides. with an oc-
casional shot from Fort Hillalgo.
Villa troops looted number of
stores and houses.
The federals claim to have $50
Villa dead, 50 prisoners, 10
wounded.
Fighting west of town is expected
to continue during the day.
Federals Execute Prisoners.
The federais executed two prison
Preparations are being made by
the federal garrison for a renewal
OF the Villa attack dyxing the after
noon or after dark. Emergency ra-
tons consisting of 500 loaves of
bread and quantities of sardines
were imported from Ell Paso for the
federal forces in the trenches.
Ammunition is being rushed to
the trenches for the federals man
ming them. Barbed wire entangle-
rents are being restrung where
cut during the recent fight. Every
thing indicates renewal of attack.
unless Villa has exhausted his
ammunition supply.
The number of Villa prisoners in
creased to 90 as the day wore on.
Rumors persisted that many of
these had been executed. Only two
known executions we're witnessed
by the Associated Press correspon-
dent.
Villa was located by federals
southeast of the Juarez race track.
This indicates a plan for renewing
the attack.
Martin Lopez was reported inside
the city soon after 6 o'clock leading
his men in desperate house to house
fighting. Villa and Angeles have
not yet been located, but are be-
lieved to be at the south of the town
directing the assault. Col. Francisco
Del Arco assumed command of the
federal forces in the field opposing
the Villa assault after Colonel Es-
cobar was wounded tonight and I'M
cleared the buildings and
railroad cars along the Mexican
and Mexican Central
railroads of Villa rebels.
At dusk the Villa forces were
again where they were when they
started their attack at $40 Sunday |
afternoon-south of the agricultural
college and north of the racetrack.
War Department In Touch.
Washington. June l5.-Reports of |
lighting between rebel and govern
nent forces in Juarez. Mex, directly |
across the Rio Grande from Ell
Paso. were scanned closely today
~ state and war department Off
Gals The fact that bullets had fall
en- on the American side of the bor-
Ter, endangering American life and
led to the belief that some
lction might be ordered by the
United States government, but so
ar as could be learned tonight at
he State department no steps had
,ecr taken. At the War depart
nent it was reiterated that Major
General DeRosey Cabell, command
rg the border guard, had instruc-
ions to deal with the situation as
lie saw fit.
Dispatches to the state depart
nent said Villa forces attacked
uarez at 1890 this morning and re
NAMED in possession of the town
wo hours before being driven out
" the Carranza troops under Gen
raj Gonzales. The dispatches said
10 Americans were killed, although |
tray bullets wounded several in FL
'aso.
General Aguilar, head of the spe-
ial Mexican mission to the United
;tates, tonight made public a dis
atch from Juarez saying that in
he battle early Sunday it had been
reported that the Villistas
uttered losses of 81 dead. three
wounded and As prisoners. Among
he dead, the dispatch said. was
ose Castro, said to be general
n the Villa army. Another officer,
esus Brillo who was severely
wounded, according to the dispatch,
vas said to have had in his pos
ession when taken prisoner valua