Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-09
MEXICANS RAID us. TOWN
Eight Hundred Villa Bandits Cross Border and Shoot Down Amer
lean Citizens and Soldiers Including Women #
Waiting Policy -.
May Be Dropped
In Latest Crisis

Washington, March 9.-Faced by a
new crisis in Mexican affairs thru the
Columbus massacre, administration Of
ficials admitted that President Wilson
might find it difficult to refrain longer
from interference. Leaders who favor
a watchful waiting course, fear most
an outbreak in congress with it's con-
sequent effect on the country. 81, il
At the White House the only word
given 6fNANwas that steps would be
taken to Ainish the Villa bandits, but
it was not\ indicated whether General
Carranza WMld be called upon to do
so. or whetAr American troops would
be sent over he line. W. '...' T. r
Secretary Aker transmitted to Pres
ident Wilson 4 bort; about the attack
on Columbus. N. M, a. quickly as they
were received at thes wal department.
1t was said at the White house that
ish the bandits. The president directed
Secretary Baker to do everything pos
sible to protect Americans.
oIIudItOn very 0oTi0US.
At the state department it was said
the situation was very serious" but
that no announcement of what action
could be taken would be given out until
the official investigation was concluded.
The state department is understood
to have begun the draft of memoran-
dunn to General Carranza based on the
reports of General Funston. S,.@r,
Senator Fall, of New Mexico, and one
Of the foremost opponents CT the Mex
lean policy, sent kilograms to railroad
officials and citizens in the vicinity Of
Columbus asking for details. a.
The news spread over the capitol
with startling effect. Chairman Stone
of the foreign relations committee at
once communicated with the state de-
partment Es5:4.. i -.
Outbreak in Senate sProba bic.
While the policy Of the aadministra-
ton 50 far has been to look to the.
Garranxa forces TO deal with tke.sb
dts, some officials declared today that
it was a grave question whether such
a raid as that on Columbus was not
sufficient evidence of the inability Of
the Carranza government to deal. with
the situation, to warrant sending Amer
ican troops over the line. X g. S'E$F
a The raid caused excitement In con-,
gress, where some openly charged that
the Carranza government was impo-
tent to deal with the situation, and
pointed to the fulfillment, Of their pre-
dictions of another outrage like the re-
Gently Cusi massacre. in which sixteen
OF more Americans were killed, was
only a question of time. IL ...%
There were Indications that the Col
umbus massacre would be the signal
for another outbreak in the senate.
Non-interferenee Policy Doomed. Is
At the White House the reports were
received with evidence Of the greatest
concern. Officials indicated the raid
had brought the situation to a critical
point where it might be difficult to
stand by the policy Of nom -interfer-i
sence. -..5s@a ~ q =
After the president and Mr.. Baker
had discussed the reports briefly, the
president decided the new secretary. OF
war should take office at once. He
signed Mr.. Bakers commission and the
new secretary went to his Office to be
sworn in. ~. / - Ill. y.
One of the most probable courses
discussed was to send American troops
ever the line to clean out the bandits.
1t was pointed out that such action
could be taken with a declaration that
there was no intention to impair the
sovereignty Of Mexico or purpose Of
occupation Of territory, but simply to
deal with the situation menacine the
border. There is conflict OF opinion re-
garding the authority of the war de-
partment to send troops into a foreign
country without. the consent Of con-
gress. %t..,ff ~ ~ ~ p :.
Presidents For Invading Mexico.
Some contend the constitution vests
the president with authority to repel
invasion. Precedents for sending troops
into Mexico to pursue bandits, were
found in the state department. archives.
concerning troubles with Mexican IN
dians and raiders in 1871 and 1878. 4,
Major General Funston is in supreme
command Of the situation on the bor-
der and has full authority to do every
thing short OF sending troops over the
line without communicationS with,
Washington. tF n I.
General F'unston's first report on the
massacre says three troopers were
killed and that four were wounded 1T.
uiu tAOt FDIlHS AulI O6IdllS.t
Cavalry Pursues Bandits, WIZ
General Funston,s report said firing
had ceased at $50 o'clock and that
cavalry were in pursuit OF the bandits
The number OF civilian dead was ,,n-
known at that time. 81 s :,
An unofficial report received here,
and transmitted to the Carra,,xas EN-, -
bassy said the Thirteenth cavalry had;
crossed the border In pursuit. q
General Funston's report was sent
from Fort Sam Houston Tex. IL con-
veyed the report made by Colonel ;Slo-
cum to his commanding OFFICER.
Ana district in western chihuahua.
Villa had freely stated that Ne, would
force intervention by the United states
by raiding American territory and kill
ing everybody in sight. VA