Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-07-06

ton and Mexican advces reflect of optimism May the
spirit Of peace to dominate both sides However, OPP
tmsc intervals preceded the European well the
Russo-Ja Japanese struggle
Inc Washington people persist in the polite fiction that
mains decided If Canadians had followed our course
during the Fenan raids from this country into Canada in
1866 would have realized what it meant If Japanese
force occupied Pacific States precisely the Amer
can troops occupying the northern provinces of Mexico
According to the laws of nations had right to pur
sue and punish Villa and his marauder Under information
shed Webster as secretary of state in dealing with
the punitive expedition from Canada that captured Amer
Niagara river in 1887 it business to withdraw
forces to the boundary line when Colonel Dodd and others
had accomplished the task of furnishing the Villa bandit
Some people insist upon holding that a general war
cannot ensue until has been declared. The world will
STA. President Polk in 1916 made appeal Congress
is proposed by President Wilson, but his appeal preceded
United States and Mexico
Polk advanced American force into Mexican terri
tory vince the MCXCans to attack, and where
small body of American troops ambushed precisely
We're Captain Boyd and his troopers Of the 10th u s.
airy He did not do this and then try force upon either
Congress the Mexcans the responsibility forcing
" four During most Of this time the department
has been patroinG the miles land bound
about 10000 There for the surprise of
the American forces at Columbus by Villas band The town
has practically street lights Pitch darkness regned and
Villa said to have been guided the town by the whistle
OF train for the station there. There how
fer the utter preparedness so-caed machine gun
command of 300 cayaymen Columbus in the matter Of
possession workable and effective machine guns 1t was
knowledge OF this upreparedness that led the Mexican
bandit
That government had expressly permitted the Mex
lean bandit recently buy American weapons proved by
Secretary Daness admission the other dav that the adj
mnstraon was still talking of preventing vessels to clear
and ammunition for MeXcans Indeed the Sunday New
York Herald correspondent says Mexcans continue take
huge quantities of supplies the line yet embargo
has been placed this. From Nogaes the report
that than 1000 Of oodstu have been taken
in the last two days.
That the American government had failed despite a
warning OF over three years OF guerrilla warfare on the Mex
lean border to prepare for what plainly coming also
proved by the announcement that the British had allowed the
United States to take 800 machine that being
manufactured in this country for its The United States
put i'll the ridiculous and humliatng position of relying
upon foreign government to modern and quick fire
arms.
1t now transpres Villa knew there not single
mand of American forces equipped for the pursuit of raid
1900 miles of boundary We speak of this Situation because
the conditions then prevailing must continue handicap
for the United States forces engaged in any with Mex
leo for considerable period to We have not time to
60 into the startling details of this upreparedness The
men IS but one Illustration of host of details Of
edneSs.
Under these circumstances the utter failure Of the navy
department to send naval force to Vera Cruz and Tampco
to hold those ports hostages for the safety of the Amer
can forces engaged in peacefu task Mexican territory
If the other hand the administration were to admit
an actual state of then nanesty the first should
be to get fleet into striking distance at and let
big guns do some of the work of paeying" Mexico The
lessons afforded by the German dash through Serbia her
aided by well by the present British drive
against the Germans invariably preceded by veritabe hail
of heavy shells should not be wholly lost Washington
The only way in which the Wilson administration
do Of its military mistakes will be to adapt itself the
situation The American forces apparently being
moved with the idea that effective blow be struck by
march overland $50 miles from Ell Paso the city of Mex
the capital and shorter distances from other American
points the Rio GranCe The distance of Vera
the Mexican capital is only about $50 miles.
After Carranza has concentrated his troops in the north
provinces Of Mexico the United States send force
by water to Vera Cruz, with plenty Of field artillery and
rapid fire to pillow its direct to the Mexican capital
General Scott fought his from Vera Cruz to Mexico in
1847 after Taylor had northern Mexico The
Mexican mind such that the capital must be held all haz
ards and Carranza will be forced send large his
force from the north hundreds of miles the relief the
menaced capital
If troops prepared for quick action in every
could reach the Mexican capital before Carranza
could send adequate for its protection any event
his armies well his limited would be seriously
divided AS military conditions stand however the
situation with desuOry clashes in the north be
allowed to drag along three four months and by that time
the presidential election will help clear the atmosphere
At this time the MeXcans with the exception of food
supplies well prepared to hold their against
by forces. CarranZa is receiving than $780,
600 month from petroleum exported from Tampco Great
Britain beside other Of income Britans intense