The Washington herald., 1916-03-12
Warned but Unprepared.

Though at present our military forces are en-
gagged only in a punitive expedition in Mexico
Gen. Funston may discover that the fulhllment
of his mission means no trivial task; and since 1t
is unthinkable that there will be turning back
before that task is accomplished, he has right
to look to Washington for speedy preparations
to furnish him with every ounce of support that
the country's resources afford. The people will
not complacently face the humiliation which a
confession that our army is unable to capture a
troop of outlaws who have invaded Our soil would
involve; so it is not to be expected that Funston
and his men will be in hurry to return empty
handed. They will doubtless keep on as long as
they are we'll backed up from this side Of the
border.
The fact that delay of days was necessary
to equip the troops to begin the pursuit of Villa
and his bandits is rather depressing, as indicating
how badly we have been prepared for any emerg-
ency on the border, in spite of repeated threats
and warnings extending period OF years,
during which we have actually invaded Mexico
1t cannot be otherwise than disappointing to the
country to realize now that little has been done
since the occupation of Vera Cruz and the send
ing in of an army, to prepare our forces to cope
with situation like the present one. 1t must be
said that the War Department has not been re-
miss. 1t is now straining every no doubt
to support Funston to the utmost limit of its
facilities, wherever he may go. The trouble ha:
been with Congress. Almost two years have
elapsed since we went to war with Huerta, anG
the Mexican situation has been daily menace
while the European war; begun nearly year anc
a half ago, has constantly presented new diff
entities for uS Vet he ;s hit hst
ter prepared to defend itself than it was wher
trouble first threatened. Everything is yet to b.
done, with a possibility that we may soon b,
called upon for serious work in Mexico.
The only reassuring aspect of the Villa pursuit.
is President Wilson's announcement that it car
and will be undertaken ain entirely friendly aid
the constituted authorities in Mexico and witt
scrupulous respect for the sovereignty of that re
public" This appears to be an intimation tina
Carranza recognizes our right to send troop
across the border for the purpose of capturing AMI
Furnishing murderers, though there is nothing il
the provisional Presidents past dealings with tn,
United States government to inspire confidence il
friendly cooperation on his part in any under
| taking involving operations by United State
troops on Mexican soil. Nor does his reques
that he be allowed to send Mexican troops int
the United States in pursuit of Mexican outlaw
suggest frank and friendly interest. Rather j
should be taken as another exhibition of the oil,
Carranza spirit which year more ago dictated
naughty demand that soldiers be withdraw
from Mexico, determination not to give us an,
privileges that we do not give him. However i
is not impossible that President Wilson has re
ceived assurances from Carranza which he re
CARDS justifying his announcement
| That, however would be no guaranty tina
there will not eventually be Intervention an,
serious fighting in Mexico. Surely it is the dut,
of Congress and the military authorities withou
an hours unnecessary delay, to prepare for sucl
a possibility. The paeihsts have one more oppor
tunity to learn important lesson