Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-06-27
Real Issue With Carranza

@ INCE the publication Of Captain Morey's
~ letter, received by General Funston Sun
day night, there has been SO much talk Of
the advance Of the American troops az Car.
RIAL lin battle formation" that there is some
danger OF confusing the issue. This danger
is increased III the minds OF those who have
been inclined 70 believe that the movement
OF X and Troops OF the Tenth Cavalry
was provocative.
1t would be we'll 10 bear in mind the facts.
In the course OF an expedition 10 Ahumada
the cavalry detachment, under command of
Captain Boyd, approached the town of Car
RIAL III order 10 avoid friction. as far as
possible, Captain BOYD asked permission of
the Mexican commander 10 pass through the
town. This permission was refused, but
General Gomez extended an invitation TO the
American officer 70 come into town for
conference, bringing his force with him
The suggestion as to the entrance of the SOL
diers, merely for q conference was so unusual
that Captain BOYD naturally suspected an at
tempt At amhush-which. doubtless, was in
tended--and refused the invitation
When Come advanced 70 confer with Can
tain Boyd, according 10 accounts of other
witnesses The MeXicans extended their line
with the evident purpose of fianking the
American force. Then il was that for self
protection, the order given to advance
IN battle formation. As soon as the forma-
ton was effected, the Mexicans began firing
and, with the assistance OF a masked machine
gun, virtually wiped OUT the TWO troops Of
American cavalry, SO much for the provoca-
ton theory. which has disturbed some who
insist that every step OF this country's course
shall meet with their approval before they
yield loyalty to its main objects
Blu, the Carriza AFFAIR is merely an in
cluen' the trouble goes far deeper than can
b. healed by satisfactory settlement OF that
ugly encounter. The death and ca rture of
our soldiers there form only Il minor item
IN the long list OF reasons that compel the
rushing Of all available troops 70 the border
Foremost OF all these and behind all The
others is the duty OF the government to PRO
tect Its territory and all It's people
Common sense realizes that adenuate pro-
lection can be given only when punishment
can he meted out 10 those against whom pro-
tecton is necessary. II is not sufficient that
police shall guard persons and propertv: thev
must apprehend those who trespass against
Them our southern border Is IN constant
danger from Mexican raiders; Carranza's
government has made no effort To punish the
bandits who have robbed and murdered in
American territory. and We must punish them
ourselves-for selt-protecton
Therefore--still for Observation-Disclosures
are competed 10 go over the border in search
OF the outlaws who daily menace the lives
OF our people And this is the real noint AZ
issue between this government and Carranza
The Carri2a incident will not he discussed
iufther by this government; its demands in
tAat respect are clear and pointed There 10
i@tt open only one question: will Carranza
permit our troops. without molestation RI
continue their hunt for Mexican murderers
and raiders? If he will. there NAV he nm
certain peace, for time. Ii he will NOT
there Will be certain war.