The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-14
FRANK THOMAS

CONTINUED from Page One.l
wrong" said Thomas most feelingly
people. He never has been our friend
and he isn't now. He. will be discred-
tied and alone. His own people Will
leave him. If he gets out of Mexico
alive he will be lucky. In a week his
own people will be with Villa See Il
what I say do not come true
.'WilsOn Bungled Matters"
All the trouble which , leans
the sending of government troops INTO
Mexico in search of the Mexican ban
dit and leader, could have been avoid
ed, said Thomas. Then Thomas re
terred to his own telegram to WASH
ington of a month ago.
IF they had listened to what
said. this would never have APP
pened." protested Thomas. i foresaW
it ALL Wilson bungled matters in the
handling of affairs .
why. Villa wanted to be our friend
but the action of this country in the
TRANSPORTATION of Carranza's troops
made it impossible. There couidn
have been but one solution II is de-
plo- BILE and 1 regret it. Yet it was the
natural consequences of recognizing
one faction or the other in Mexican
fight 1t is like taking sides between
a man and wife in domestic contro-
versy; they both will jump onto you
When our government permitted Car
rama to transport his troops Tor a
thousand miles over our territory and
drop them down at different points to
cross the line and fight the Villa gov
eminent, it could have but one result;
infuriate that element in Mexico, and
it did"
Not Villa Agent Now.
Thomas denied that he was the per-
soral representative or financial agent
of Villa in the United States. He has
no business relations with the bandit
chieftain at this time. he declared.
Il made three trips to Washington
for Villa. But I went as his friend.
I am not his representative or agent.
"A statement which you made some
time ago was construed to indicate
that you were in touch with villa
movements and plans" said Thomass
visitor. DO you know where Villa Is
at this time?"
mo, I don't know. Certainly
don't What is more, I didn't make
such a statement" Thomas replied.
Won't Be Taken Alive.
will Villa be taken alive 2"
mo He will never be taken alive.
He is too adroit, too cunning, too
shrewd TO be easily outwitted or de-
feated in his plans or purposes. The
United States government is not deal
ing with Aguinaldo.'
Because of his attitude toward Pres
ident Wilson and his pronounced
expressions concerning the Mexican
situation, efforts have been made to
read Thomas out of the Democrats
party. He is now member of the
Shawnee county Democratic commit
tee, was in 1912 a strong supporter OF
Champ Clark and has displayed his
dislike for the Wilson administra-
ton in frequent statements and inter
views
Asked Him to Resign.
Recently Frank Whitney, treasurer
of the Democratic state committee and
ocratic committee, called on Thomas
to resign. The county committee will
meet tonight.
do you expect to meet the demands
of Whitney and resign from the coun-
ty committee?" Thomas was asked.
Thomas laughed.
Resign ?" Thomas repeated. Lord.
should say not. Not on your life"
And so, Frank S. Thomas friend of
Villa, opponent of the Wilson Mexican
policies, proposes to stand pat. He
processes his Democracy and proposes
to stay right on the job. But
Thomas is quite certain that his resig-
nation will not be in the hands of
Chairman Whitney.
Infuriate the People.
"Our government permitted General
Obregon, Carranza's general, to make
his headquarters in the city of Ell Paso,
at the Del Norte hotel with his staff,
and therefrom issue orders to be
executed across the line in Mexico
which, of course, could have but one
effect-infuriate the people of the in
terror. They looked upon it as an
effort of our government to. saddle
upon them a president and you know
they resent foreign interference very
quickly, as does all nations for that
matter.
AT Nogales, 1 think it was Obre-
CONS private car was sitting on the
American side of the line and Obregon
was going back and forth to his car in
full sight of General Villa and hi
army a few hundred feet across the
line. OF course. they glared at each
other and 1 have been told Villa said
/ in substance: IF l could get to him
I wouldn't shoot him, 1 would just
choke him to death But Obregon
was protected as the pampered pet of
our government, which 1 repeat again,
Infatuated the Mexicans in Mexico. 1t
would have been far better for US to
intervene, as you call it, than to have
( recognized Carranza. I guess Wash
ington knows that now. Mr.. Wilson
has made bad matters worse at every
turn of the road.
The Natural Result.
1.-The deplorable affair at Columbus
l know nothing about, but of course
it is the natural result of the actions
outlined above. They goaded those
Mexican people. until they have COM
mitted retaliatory acts of violence
that no government could overlook
This situation illustrates the inexora-
BILE law of cause and effect. We have
/ Numbered and blundered and these
unfortunate occurrences are the re-
suit. If we had stopped still with
recognition of Carranza, and not taken
/ sides by transporting troops and all
taht kind of business l have referred
! to, there would never have been any
massacre in Mexico nor invasion
Am erican territory.
Il find that it is unpopular to tel
the truth. The JinSoes, the munitior
! factories and the powerful finance
influences behind them have probably
been successful in hurrahing us into
war"