New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-22
Dilemma of Withdrawal or
Fighting Carranza May
MaterialiZe.
IF VILLA ESCAPES?
WILSON'S PROBLEM
Return of Troops Without the
Bandit Would Be Humilia-
ton for United States.
frrnm N. rrbun. Bur.au.l

Washington, March 81. The Admin
Istration is ,training every nerve 10
keen the American expedition in Mex
leo within the bounds Of its original
purpose, /. e., TO get villa" Grea'
fear j. expressed, however, that this
purpose cannot be made clear to the
Mexican people, and that the American
troops will be obliged 20 withdraw or
face the hostility of the Carranza gov
eminent.
Negotiations with Senior Arredondo'
the Mexican Acknowledgements are
continuing. with q view to framing
formal agreement that viii satisl!
public sentiment in Mexico.
Administration officials said to-day
that the situation had been maze
worse by the inteventionist press III
tbis country, which was doing every
thing in its power TO inhame the Mex
can people and force war. IL was point
cd out that the MeXicans accept as
true the rabid fulminations n certain
American newspapers anxious TO torcc
Intervention, and that the Circulation
of such reports in Mexico, II coAun-
ned. is almost certain TO accomplish
its object.
Carranza has already manifested MS
anprehension to this government. and
is striving 70 keep down the Jingoes In
his country. What he fears chiefly IS
that some Of his powerful followers
NAV lead a revolt within his party on
a idown with the Or ngoes' platform
and force him either 20 choose the pop
ular side or be overthrow.
Carranza Wants to Know.
His proposal for definite agree
meut limiting American operations III
Mexico is founded IN this appreheh-
sion. lie is anxious to know now lar
tho American troops will go into Mex
leo in purusit Of Villa. and how long
they will remain If the bandit con
tinues to elude them. .,--.:.
These questions the Administration
is not yet prepared TO answer NheI
tho Am. r:cal expedition was ordered
by President Wilson, the oh'y cons'ufr
cation was the immediate necessity OF
canturing or killing Villa. The possl-
bile defeat of this object was not en-
visaged.
The President is encouraged by re-
rorta from General Pershing 10 believe
that Villa is trapped. and that the eN-
ncdition will md gloriously. lie IS
however. considering gravely what Is
70 he lone IL the willy outlaw makes MS
escape to the south, where campaign
10 get him wou d be work OF months
The withdrawal of the American
forces without its object being accom-,
plished would, it is felt, be national
Humiliation. Administration leaders
noint out, however, that the purpose OIL
Inc expedition, fundamentally, was to
remove the danger of attacks on Ameri-
ca, border towns. If Villa Is driven
into Durango this purpose might be
said 10 be fulfilled, and the American
force could be withdrawn honoraoly..
This view. however, does not coin
eide with the idea of punitive" ex-
pedition. Still less does II satisfy me
resolution 10 get Villa" IL Is doubt
ful even il it would restore safety on
the border for long.
Would Not Fight Mexico.
Sooner than face war with Mexico as
a result of the expedition, however II
is believed the President would with
draw the troops, after declaring that
Ctrranza appeared to have the situa-
ton in hand. But this elimination OF
the affair would not be regarded with
any satisfaction by the Presidents po-
/ litical advisers. ,
The State Department has pointed
out TO CarranZa that quick compliance
with the request TO use the Mexican
| Northwestern Railroad from RI PaSo TO
| Casas Grandes for the transportation
/ of supplies would greatly assist the
/ American forces to an early victory.
/ II is hoped that this permission will be
granted without waiting until the pro-
/ tocol is drafted.
II is understood that II proposed to
| have the agreement cover such ques-
| tions as how many American troops
/ shall enter Mexico, how far into the
country they shall penetrate, methods
! Of cooperation and the use OF rail
roads for military purposes. Mr. Are
dondo il understood to have been gwen
! complete instructions on these points
/ By his government.
The State Department to-day sent 70
/ Consul General Rodgers at Queretaro
\ for presentation 20 the de facto gov
eminent the information asked for in
regard TO the request OF the United
States for permission 20 use the rail
way from Fl Paso TO Casas Grande'
for the shipment Of supplies 10 the
| American expeditionary forces. II was
| pointed out that the United states had
no intention OF shipping troops over
I the line and that the request was made
solely for supplies.
General Pershin reported 70 the Wal