New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-10
Bring Villa to Justice!

of imploring Americans to flee from Mex
leo for their lives, Of censuring them II
they remained in that country to protect
their property interests, Of lodging the
duty of protecting them when living and
If avengiDg them when dead, has borne It's
perfect fruit.
Every faction chief in Mexico, every ex-
bandit and desperate posing as a political
or military leader, every peon in the ranks
or marauding on his own account, has
learned how trivial an offence he commits
in taking the life Of an American. The
value Of American citizenship in Mexico
is as deprecated as is the value of Villa
currency peddled on the street corners OF
this city
So far as the protection which national
ity gives is concerned, a Guatemalan,
Cuban. Haytian or Chnaman is better
off in Mexico than is a citizen of the United
States.
The supply Of Americans in Mexico to
he sacrificed to Mexican lust for murder
has Iaitcrly been falling off. The murderers
are being forced more and more to hunt
new victims on this side Of the border.
They have killed and wounded many
Americans by firing across the interna-
tional line. At Naco, Ariz., Villas soldiers
ran up a casualty list of between 90 and
90 before they yielded to requests from
Washington to aim their rifles in another
direction. Various small invasions of Texas
have occurred, all involving bloodshed. Now
comes the dastardly night attack on Co
lumbus. n. NJ, in which General Villa him
self is reported to have taken part.
Little or nothing has been done by the
Administration TO reestablish respect In
Mexico for American life or property. DC
casionally small indemnity has been Sc
cured. as in the case Of an American killed
by Zapatistas in the City Of Mexico while
defending his home against pillage. But
for the most part only perfunctory pro-
tests have been filed. If any serious idea
Of exacting adequate rcparation was ever
entertained. it was abandoned as involving
too much discomfort and eXcrtion.
The seventeen Americans massacred at
Santa Ysabel, Chihuahua, couple of
months ago have almost passed from mem
ory both in Washington and at the head
quarters of General Carranza, who is sup
posed according TO the fictions of diplo-
macy) TO be earnestly cndeavoring to ar
rest and punish their murdcrcrs.
1t is time to put an end to this shameful
farce Of enforcing American rights against
Mexican assassins. Killing Americans on
the Mexican side of the Rio Grandc simply
because they arc Americans IS a breach Of
treaty. Killing Americans on this side
of the Rio Grandc by organized bodies OF
Mexicans is an act Of war. If Villa
troops have invaded the United States &c
vent a grudge against our government for
recognizing Carranza, the military and
civil organization which he represents has
made war on this country. lie does not
recognize Carranza's authority, nor is Car
rama in position to control him politi-
cally or TO suppress his murderous activi-
ties. The only remedy left to the United
States is TO enter the territory in which
Villa is operating and which he claims tc
control and 10 deal with him and his fol
lowers as open enemies.
By his attack on Columbus Villa has for
fcited all claim to protection from the Car
rama government, all right Of recognition
as Mexican national. lie is either rev
outionist maintaining government of hi!
own, hostile to that Of Carranza, or he Il
an international outlaw-a criminal with
out country.
There is no reason why the Unitet
States should not send its armed force
across the Rio Grande 70 capture and de
stroy this pillager and cutthroat. w
have had in the past agreements will
Mexico permitting us to enter Mexican
territory in pursuit Of bandits and ma
rauders. Carranza may be perfectly will
ing TO waive all objection TO the employ
ment Of United States troops on Mexicai
soil, since il is 20 his interest as we'll "A
ours that Villas career shall be termi
mated. But whether he consents or no
the United States would have ample just
fcation for crossing the border and hunt
ing the Vilistas down in their hdin:
places.
Nothing short Of a demonstration o
force can now restore American prestig'
in Mexico and undeccive the lawlcss Gle
mcnts there az 10 the value our govern
mcnt sets on the lives Of IT, citizens. Thu
Administration has cyaded duty T.
Amcricanism long enough. II our flag, oul
4 i. L.. 10. d,