The Washington herald., 1916-01-15

wrsngle when Secretary Of War Garri-
son received a report from Maj. Gen.
Funston concerning the participation Of
United States troops in anti-Mexican
race riots at FL Paso.
Secretary Lansing later took cogni-
zance OF the inflamed state of public
sentiment In FL Paso and other border
cities by expressing what was construed
as a warning against organized acts Of
retaliation by American citizens.
II the citizens OF Texas carry out their
threat to organize a regiment of vol
unteers to cross the border against Mex
leans, Secretary Lansing said, they will
be liable to prosecution under the Federal
law for fitting out an armed expedition
on American soil against a nation with
which the United States is at peace.
Secretary of War Garrison had q con-
ference at the War Department with his
chief aids which did not break up until
after 7 o'clock. At the conferences were
Assistant Secretary of Wan Brecken-
ridge, Brig. Gen. Hugh L. Scott, chief
of staf: Maj. Gen. Tasker Bliss, assist
ant chief of STAFF and Brig. Gen. Enoch
Crowder judge advocate general of the
army. Reports that the army officials
discussed the Mexican situation persisted
despite the statement of Secretary Garri-
eon tHAt only IudtteT8 Oh policy ana pro-
posed legislation were discussed.
Insistent demands made in Congress
for intervention in Mexico brought
the army problem prominently to the
fore. The discussion brought forward
one Of the most telling arguments for
preparedness SO far advanced.
officers of the General Staff ad-
mitted it would require an original
unit of 160. 900 well-trained and sea-
soned men to begin the paoification of
Mexico. 1t would take at least a70,-
900 men to complete the Job. The army
now consists of $1,000 fighting men
and 5000 officers. The National Guard
organizations could not be used until
they had been given weeks of hard
training. The, inference was that the
army is not big enough to protect
Americans in Mexico.
The first direct word from Gen Car
rama since the Chihuahua murders
was received in Washington yester-
day. Carranza telegraphed Eliseo ARE
dondo, his Washington representative,
pledge that the bandits will meet
condign punishment. He said:
The murderous attack on the train
near chihuahua was made by the only
remaining band of outlaws In that
region. This band is being actively
ture, when condign punishment which
their crime deserves, will be meted out
to every guilty participant"
Troops of the constitutionalist gov
ernment have been instructed to establish
Ia complete patrol Of the entire railway
from end to end In order to prevent simi-
lar outrages."
Secretary Lansing admitted he had re-
ceived petition from citizens of El Paso
demanding the removal Of United States
Consul Thomas Edwards at Juarez, but
he said he saw no present necessity OF
making a reply.
Edwards was quoted in press jispatcbes
from Ell Paso yesterday as declaring that
he had been ordered by the State Depart
ment on January to urge the Carranza
government to protect the train upon
which the murdered Americans Travelled
to Santa Ysabei.
1t was emphatically denied by State De.
partment officials that he had been given
any such instructions. An Investigation
of Edwards" recent activities and his al
legged newspaper utterances are probable,
officials said yesterday
Senator Lewis, OF Illinois, a Democrat
yesterday on the floor of the Senate
charged the Republicans with making
the Mexican question a political issue
He said IL the country could be seriously
convinced that their only object present
ed 'in these animadversions. their Ill
Characterization Of the President, vicious
denunciations of every act, as well as
the Indictment In every form of criminal
category Of those he has assumed To
recognize, was to secure peace and pro-
tect American citizenship" then they
might hope to receive some approval.
But 1t was apparent. he declared. that
the leaders on the Republican side ''were
reaching out into the gloom Of things
to grasp anything as a political issue.
The Senate adjourned yesterday until
Monday, the purpose being to try to put
q stop TO the daily debate on MEXICAN
affairs. Following the Mexican. debate
yesterday. there was discussion, on the
Philippine bill. and speeches were made
by Senator Nelson. Of Minnesota, and
Senator Chaton. of West Virginia. A
brief exective session closed the session
for the day. at which several minor nom-
nations wess eoudrmed.