New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-05
Recognition a Mistake,
Say Americans Along
the Border.
THOUSANDS FEAR
TO RETURN HOME
Bandits Unchecked. Life and
Property Disregarded-Dan-
ger to u. S. Seen.
gy Telegraph 10 The Tribune ]

FL Paso, Tex. Dec. 4.-Recognition
o. the Carrsnza faction in Mexico has
not improved conditions in that coun'
try. In the opinion of Americans in
terested in Mexican development prop
critics the situation in Mexico has been
complicated.
In very few portions OF Mexico has
there been sufficient improvement "a
Justify Americans or other foreigners
returning to their business houses
mills or mines. Where Villa soldiers
have been driven out. bandits have en-
tered, and the country which Carranza
troops have occupied has been very
largely abandoned again, as the troops
we're needed elsewhere.
Following the overthrow Of the Diaz
government and the assumption OF
power by the Constitutional govern
ment OF Francisco /. Madero, the thou
sands OF Mexican and American refu-
gees in border towns quickly returned
to their homes and interests in the in
terror.
Refugees Line Border.
No such return OF refugees has fol-
lowed the recognition OF Carranzs and
the declaration that he has the country
under control. In every border city
and town from Brownsville to San
Diego. and as far back from the border
as San Antonio, Tucson and Los
Angeles, there are many thousands of
the best families OF Mexico, who fea.
TO 90 back 70 their homes, many OF
them Csrranzistas in sympathy and
heavy losers financially by their con-
tinued absence.
All along the border there are thou-
sands Of Americans, Germans, British,
Spanish. French and other foreigners
who are refugees from Mexico. None
Of them feel that the time has come
or that it soon is coming, for them Ia
trust themselves again in Mexico. In
FL Paso alone it is estimated that there
are 10000 Mexican refugees, native
and foreign.
The general opinion on the Dor
der among Mexicans as well as
Americans, is that the Washington gov
eminent has made q very serious mis-
take. Mexicans OF the Carranzista fac
ton say the mistake has been in not
giving Carranza moral support after
recognizing MIN.
The charge is general that aid is be-
ing given by the United States 70 the
Villa faction by permitting villa TO get
supplies and ammunition from the
American side with practically no seri-
Gus effort on the part of the United
States TO prevent it. II is well known
that Villa daily is getting ammunition
into Juarez from the American side and
that he has great quantities or rifles,
ammunition and supplies stored IN
Jusrez from which he draws as he needs
il.
American sentiment largely was
against recognizing either faction IN
Mexico. As a matter OF fact, armed IN
PREVENTION has been the hope OF large
element on the border for two years,
and by most Of those having interests
in Mexico it still is regarded as the
only real solution OF the very veXlng
problem. There is now and has been
for fully a year a very large element
Of the better class of MeXicans iii Next
co and on the border who would like to
see United States troops go into Next
co and straighten things out
War in Europe Heightens Peril.
Mexico now is regarded by many OF
the thinking men on the border as a
greater menace 10 the United States
than at any time since the revolu-
tionary activity started there. The
situation In Europe. with the possibility
of the United States being involved,
makes Mexico constant danger, for.
with no strong government in Mexico
to maintain or insist upon its neutrality
being observed, it would be compare
lively easy for hostile nation TO make
free use of Mexican ports and or Next
can territory through which to reach
the United States. in the opinion OF men
who have been studying the situation
in Mexico.
On the whole. the outlook for re-
turn to peace and order in Mexico -
rot encouraging. Refugees from a most
every part Of the country tell OF un-
hampered bandit operations and Of dis
regard for life and property.