Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 162, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1916 — VILLA TO ATTACK U. S. AGAIN [ARTICLE]

VILLA TO ATTACK U. S. AGAIN

Carranza In Statement to U. S. Officials, Asserts That Mex. Bandit Prepares for Another Raid. " ■ . ,i The conciliatory reply of the United States government to Carranza’s note had not had time to reach the Mexican embassy today before the first move in a campaign of co-operation against bandits threatening the United States border was suggested by the de facto government of Mexico. Carranza, through Ambassador Arredondo, notified the state department that a de facto government force had been destroyed by a large band of Villa followers at Corralitos on Wednesday. Carranza expressed the fear that this band had proceed-_ ed through the desert and might concentrate near the border for a new raid into United States territary.

He suggested that the American troops on the border exercise particular vigilance along the border and promised meanwhile that every effort would be made by his own forces to pursue and capture the bandits. The dispatch containing the warning was at once turned over to Secretary of War Baker by the state department and telegraphed to General Funston. Means for dealing with the threatened raid will be decided upon at General Funston’s headquarters and officials express the belief that the Villa band will meet a warm reception if they attempt to cross the lihe. The presumed line of march which the band has taken is not within striking position of Pershing. General Funston’s most difficult problem will be to ascertain in advance at what point the invaders are making for and thereby be able to concentrate a sufficient force to meet them. Carranza’s willingness to keep track of the movement of Villa and his band and speedily expedite such information to Washington as evidenced by his report, is regarded in Washington as an excellent omen for the effective co-operation of the two governments to wipe oqt the Villistas in northern Mexico.