THE MEXICAN BANDITS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1916, Page 4

THE MEXICAN BANDITS.

ATTACK ON UNITED STATES . ' CITY. By Cable.—Press Association—Copyright Washington, March 10, ,* The attack of the Mexican bandits oil Columbus commenced at midnight. Five hundred, divided into small parties were posted in different parts of the streets and picked off American i a» they emerged from their dwellings and hotels. Several guests were burnt to death at tbe Central Hotel, which was one of the first buildings fired. It sheltered a score of women and children while the howling mob of bandits surged" in the surrounding streets. Troopers finally dispersed the bandits, who secured their Bight by capturing a number of horses in the military compounds and cutting all the telegraph wires. The attack was a complete surprise for the border officials. They w«r« watching the movements of a bandit chief who was believed to be fifty miles Senator Fall says he has received information from Colonel Slocum, com* manding a regiment of United State* cavalry, that he is following the bandits into Mexico and intends to attempt w capture the whole gang. A rancher who has been in the cui•tody of the bandits since Saturday escaped during the fighting and told a story of the hanging of three Aiuoilcatt ranchers prior to the raid. General Villa had personal charge of the expedition and openly avowed his intention of forcing the intervention of the United States by killing everybody in sight. Mrs. Wright, who was at a r»no)i visited by the bandits, heard the leadet leelare that he was going to shoot up Columbus and make a torch of every man, woman, child, husband, and baby. Mr. Lansing is considering the point of asking President Carranza's permission to send United States troops tr Mexico to capture the raiders, ti»e troops to be withdrawn when their purpose has been accomplished. The United States Cabinet has ordered a small force of American troops \o invade Mexico, and endeavour to capture Villa's bandits. Complications are feared.