In the midst of the Mexican troops being aligned along the railroad, other reports indicated that General Pershing's expeditionary command, less than fifty miles to the west, has been drawn into a parallel line extending up the Santa Maria Valley from 121 Valle to Columbus, N.M. Large Mexican forces are being gathered at Villa Ahumada and at Montezuma, while, according to reports here, General Pershing has his largest forces at 101 Valle and Colotila. Between the two lines, which are each 200 miles long, both American and Mexican cavalry scouting patrols are operating.

Apprehension was manifested in both cities and towns today that some of these patrols might clash and precipitate general hostilities. With reports that thousands of people in Northern Mexico are on the verge of starvation, and that the economic situation is becoming more acute, fears were also expressed that some of the natives might attack an American motor supply train in the hope of obtaining food.

A refugee from Mexico City arrived at the border today said that at stations in Northern Durango men and women, who no longer had clothing to cover themselves, crowded about the train and cried for food. He said they fought over bits of orange peeling which a fellow-traveler threw from the coach. 