Arizona republican., 1921-04-28
7 MEX|CANS KNEW.
 AMERICAN TOWN MAS AT PACKED. UNDER ORDERS.
Army Officer Testifies Statements of Mexicans Proves They Knew U. s. Line Was Crossed
IRepublIean A. p. Leased wirel

DENYING, N. NJ, April 27.-Pass- age of a railroad train through Co., lumbus. N NJ, early on the morning of March 9, 1916, the day of the at tack on that border town by troops of Francisco Villa was stressed in the testimony today at the trial of IS villistas on trial here for murder in connection with the raid.
 While prisoners of the American troops of the punitive expedition 16 of the IS defendants stated. according 10 the testimony of Major N. w. Campole, chief intelligence officer with the Pershing forces, that they did not know they were on American soil until they saw the train pass. " The attack. according to their ai- legged statements, did not begin until from Is minutes to half hour after the passing of the train
 This indicates. according to Dist rict Attorney Forrest Fielder, that the Viilistas knew they were attack ing an American town.
 Testimony that most of the de- fcndants had admitted firing shots in the direction of Columbus was given this afternoon by Colonel E. c. Abbott of the United States army at the time of the raid commanding the New Mexico infantry of the Natian- al guard.
 Juan Muno, one of the villistas on trial. told Colonel Abbott that he re- raembered crossing the international boundary line the night of the raid and knew he was in the United States. according to the officers tes- timony.
 Testimony of stae's witnesses was concluded this afternoon. and Jose Rodriguez. on trial second time in connection with the raid, was the first defense witness called. Rodri- guez was convicted at the trial here following the raid in April, 1916, and convicted and sentenced to hang. Six companions convicted at the same time were hanged. but the sentence of Rodriguez was commuted by the governor to one of life Imprisonment
 On the stand. he adhered to the original story told at the first trial that he was a Carranza prisoner held captive by the Villa forces and that he was a prisoner the morning of the raid and took no part in the attack.
 The defense has narrowed down R. F. Hamilton, defense attorney, said tonight, to the claim of the pris- cners that they were members of Villas forces against their will and
 
 mands of the officers of the rebel chief. who maintained strict military discipline. Mir. Hamilton said that he does not expect to put all of the Niliistas on the stand.
 Colonel Abbott, in accounting the alleged statements made to him by the Nillistas. declared that number had admitted having served under Villa before the Columbus raid,, one ss far back as 1910. He also testified that some of them were captured while still serving with Villa. Tomas Ohmareno. one of the defendants, was captured while guarding a cache Dr Villa arms. according to testimony of Major Campanole.
 In cross examining Rodriguez, Dis '<-ict Attorney Fielder asked if he had not heard speech of Villa to his men two nights before the attack on Columbus in which the rebel chief told them they were going to attack a rich American town and would get pro- visions and American women. Rodri- ruez denied having heard such an ad- dress by Villa to his soldiers.
 The presentation of evidence by the defense will continue Thursday morn ing and ii is expected that the case win go to the jury late in the after noon.
 Details as to Francisco Villas re- cruiting methods and the motive foI his attack on Columbus were ex- plained by Major Campanole in his testimony during the afternoon under cross examination.
 After his defeat by the Carranzistas Rt Agua Prieta, the rebel chiei blamed the United States for permit ting the Carranza troops to pass through the United States and sci out for vengeance, according to Major Campanole- Then the raid against Columbus was planned. he said.
 The march started from San Gero- nirno on Feb. 21, after Villa lieuten- ants had conscripted followers from towns in the Namiquipa vicinity. . did not see the recruiting order, but according to information I received It called on all former followers O. Villa to again take up arms under penalty of death" Major Campanol' stated.
 Mariana Jiminez. one Of the de <endants. was a trusted member O Nfla's band, Major Campanole said He was one of the six men forming she personal body guard of the rebe leader.
 Jiminez had served in previou campaigns with Villa. according t rha testimony of Major Campanole hui said he did not know that Co ,urnbus was an American town. H' ,,rT3 horses near Villa during the at
 k according to his alleged state kent to Major Campanole.
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