The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-08-25
BANDIT BANDS
ARE SCATTERED
U. S. Troops Resume Monot-
onous Patrol of Mex
lean Border. I
REASON FOR WITHDRAWN
Report That Jesus Rentu;
Leader Of Gang, Had Bee.
Killed Not Credited.
(sY JOHN EDWIN NEVlN.)


San Antonio, Tex, Aug. 25.-U. N.
! S.)-The American punitive expe-
| dition. made up OF the troops OF the
Eighth cavalry and one from the
Fifth, is back on American SOIL It's
search for the bandits who kidnepped
Lieut.. Peterson and his companion
ended when the "hot trail" was lost.
The bandits have scattered and their
leader, Renteria, is reported more
than fifty miles south Of the far
thest point reached by the Amer
lean raiding forces. He is declared
positively to have been located at
ranch house near San Pedro. This
information influenced the American
army officials to withdraw as there
was no chance of overtaking him.
Army headquarters here, however,
is well satisfied with the result. It
was pointed out that the accom-
plishments as the results of the chase
are as follows:
Bands Scattered.
"All of the bandit gangs between
tAiS DolNCl anu punt lllly lIllltS DS-
yond have been scattered. They have
learned that the mere swinging
across the border no longer will fur
nish asylum from pursuit in the fu-
ture.
All of the mountain passes have
been located and mapped by Amer
lean aviators, with the result that in
future pursuits it will be possible to
make much faster time.
The Carranza government is con-
vinced that it must afford protection
to American lives on the border and
within very short time an arrange
ment will be arrived at between
Washington and Mexico whereby
American forces will have a free
hand in chasing bandits.
Reason for Troop Withdrawal.
IT was emphasized today at the head
quarters of Gen. Joseph Dickman that
the present expedition had been with
drawn because 1t was found absolutely
impossible to locate any additional
Members Of the band. The orders to
Col. Langhorne, it was explained, were
70 start back as soon as 1t was found
that Jesus Renteria had evaded pursuit.
The latest reports showed that he had
taken large following Immediately
had headed for the south. At all times
he had said that the lead could not be
overcome and he was able to increase
1t because OF the necessity of Col.
Langhorne's men searching all of the
territory through which they passed.
Not Credited.
The report that Renteria had been
killed by an American machine gunner
Is not credited at army headquarters
where II was stated there was no doubt
of the identification Of the bandit To-
Gated south of San Pedro.
A telegram was received at the head
quarters of Gen. Dckman yesterday
from Col. Langhorne announcing that a
request had been received from Gen.
Pruneda, the Mexican general who also
was in pursuit of the outlaws gang,
asking that American aviators be al
lowed to scout for a band of Vilistas
near Palomas This permission was
not granted, as the United States
troops and air men went across the line
for the definite purpose of trailing GER
tain bandits and no risk would be run
of having any charge made that the
troops were diverted from that purpose
Pruneda's telegram to Col. Langhorne
said that II the Villistas were located
he would send force of federal SOL
diers to attack them. 1t was also re-
ported that Hippolita Villa was with
this force. This is believed to be Tn
true, as Hippolita, according to we'll
grounded reports in the hands Of mill
tary officers, is In a hospital in Santa
Rosalia. Francisco Villa is known to
be in Parral and his physical condition
precludes his leaving there.