The Washington herald., 1916-08-21
Watchful Waiting Again

Premature publication of the fact that Gen.
Funston has advised the withdrawal of Ameri-
can troops from Mexico has set Washington agog
with speculation to what course President
Wilson will adopt. 1t seems to be gem
orally believed that the President will adopt the
Funston recommendation. and again follow the
policy of watchful waiting with the military
forces strung out along the border to prevent
more raids. This belief apparently is due largely
to the fact that it is difficult to answer the ques-
ton What else can the President dor
When Funston was sent into Mexico he went
with War Department orders to continue the pur-
suit of the bandits who made the Columbus
raid until they were caught or until the Car
rama forces able to handle the situation.
1t was made clear to Funston that he could con-
slider his task completed when Villas bands were
known to be broken up. The army orders did
not instruct Funston to continue his work until
Villa killed captured. Funston probably
bases his recommendation to withdraw the troops
on the belief that the Carranza forces are able
to handle the situation
1t must be admitted that there is wisdom in
Funston's advice. Every day that American
troops remain on Mexican soil is a day filled
with the menace of clash such as that at Carri-
za and the American people apparently are not
willing to suffer another such massacre. Re-
publicans perhaps will point out that the with
drawal of troops without Villa is a smirch on
the national honor that may be likened to the
withdrawal from Vera Cruz without the salute
to the flag that Mr.. Wilson demanded.
But even partisan critics Of Mr.. Wilson must
admit that little is to be gained by keeping the
army in Mexico, unless the administration plans
ultimately to intervene. Mr.. Wilson certainly
has given no indication of an intention to inter
vene and if the present conditions continue there
will be need for Intervention
If the troops are withdrawn there will be
much criticism of the administration for calling
out the militia. But it must be remembered that
when the President issued the call the forces he
had sent after Villa were in grave danger At
that time it seemed though the American
troops might be cut from their base at any hour
and Mr.. Wilson's military advisers asked the
mobilization OF the State troops as a militar,
necessity.
Prior to the call to the Guards, Senior Car
ranzas insolence and defiance had been verging
insults that seemed destined to cause a break
in relations between the governments. Carranza
not only refused to give any aid to the Ameri-
troops, but hampered them in almost every
way possible. Finally he issued his ultmatum
that if the American troops advanced in any
direction but northward his forces would at
tack them.
Under these conditions President Wilson
faced an gnominious withdrawal or the alterna-
tive of the call for the militia Since the mobili-
zation of the State troops there has been great
change in Carranzas attitude and the only rea-
for this change seems to have been realiza-
ton on his part that at last the American peo-
pie had reached the limit Of tolerance The
mobilization of the militia may be chalked down
item in the expense bill for peace.
If Mr.. Wilson withdraws the troops he
again faces the same situation that he faced be-
fore the Columbus raid with one exception-the
United States is now prepared to exact payment
for murder of its citizens.