Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 March 1916 — AMERICA’S DRIVE CLOSES UP NET [ARTICLE]

AMERICA’S DRIVE CLOSES UP NET

Villa Reported Hemmed In On Four Sides—Capture Dependent On "Carranza Forces. Ed Paso, Tex., March 19.—Francisco Villa has been driven into a trap by the rapid advance of the American troops, according to the information -received today in wireless dispatches from the front and in telegraphic dispatches to Gen. Gavira, the Carranza commander at Jaurez. Everything seems now to depend on the ability of the Carranza garrisons to hold their end of the net. On three sides of the bandit chief he is hemmed in by strong Carranza columns, while on the fourth the Americans are driving forward with amazing speed. Villa was reported at Babricora lake region tonight on the ranch of Mrs. Phoebe Hearst, which he has ravaged several times-in the past. Babricera is about 55 miles south of GaneanA, where one section of the American expeditionary forces has arrived and is pushing forward at the rate of 33 miles a day. While Carranza leaders and the U. S. military authorities have succeeded so far in avoiding any friction, there is one serious question which may arise at any time to threaten the entire situation. As the lines of communication of the American force lengthens the problem of bringing up supplies becomes increasingly more pressing.