The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-11
AMPLE PRECEDENT FOR FOLLOWING THE BANDITS ID MEXICO Hot Trail' Principle Has Frequently in Past Been
 Invoked by This and
 Other Governments

Washington, March 1O.rIn ordering United States troops into Mexico to hunt down Villas bandit army, President Will son acted on the principle of interna- tional law sanctioning punitive expedi- tions against factions in a foreign state which cannot be or are not prevented by the constituted authorities of that state from attacking it's neighbors.
 Authorities on itnerna tional law pointed today to many precedents witnessing the general acceptance of this principle. It was written into the treaty of 1890 be- tween the United States and Mexico, which now has lapsed, in the form of a provision under which the military forces of either country could pursue marauders across the international line, where "hot trail" existed. Even before this treaty was negotiated, however, Gen. eral Lawton pursued a band of raidine Apaches into Mexico. and although the Mexican government protested, it recog- nized the principle on which Lawton act ed in acceptance of the treaty.
 The United States accepted the "hot trail'' principle in negotiating with Ca HduldIl dutuOTlticS OuAAi1G tHO 1CNOiat4Oii- ary troubles in Canada The Caroline, vessel used to carry an expedition across the Niagara river into Canada, was pursued to the American side by Canadians and there destroyed. Secretary Webster notified Canada that the United States would make no complaint if Cam ada affirmed, as she subsequently did. that the danger to Canadian territory was of such imminence that summary action against the raiders was considered imperative
 Tn two instances Gen. Andrew Jackson headed punitive expeditions into Florida while that territory was Spanish pos session. One was against a filibustering faction based on Amelia Island. and Dper- ating against the United States. The other resulted in the destruction of the town of St. Marc, which had been the base of Creek Indian expedition against the United States and involved the hang ing by United States troops of a British subject, who General Jackson charged was employed by the Creeks as a spy. The British government investigated that incident but never protested
 Officials today recalled many other in- stances where the ''hot traip' principle had been invoked in some form by this and other governments and declared there could be no doubt of it's applicability in the case oI Nllld
 Boston, March 10. Former President Taft. speaking on the Monroe doctrine at a dinner of the Unitarian club to- night said he was glad a sufficient force of United States troops was being sent after Villa.
 'The Carranza governments policy be- ing inadequate" he said. we are entirely Justified in pursuing Villa adding, The sooner his fangs are drawn the better.'
 The possibility of a general intewen- tion was deplored by the speakers fsbe e. cause that would be serious matter and involve consequences the scope of which we cannot measure"
 "But that there is ground for think ing it probable none can deny" he con- .tsnued.
 Professor Taft said he entirely acquit- ted the administration of any desire to involve the United States in war with Nexico.