The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-13

It is subject of discussion in Wash ington that the murder of Americans by bandits is proof that the improvised government under General Carranza is not stable, and, therefore, should not have been recognized. It is deemed possible that the president of the de facto government will reply to the United States demands that he has been unable in so short time to make his states secure for travellers and that he cannot apprehend and punish the murderers. A reply to this effect, it is pointed out may compel the President to notify the Secretary of War to instruct the forces on the border to take the situation in their own hands
 NO MINISTER TO MEXICO
 Another interesting phase of the situa- tion is the apparent proof of the repub- licans assertion that the Mexican gov ernment is unstable and should not have been recognized and that it would be folly to send Ambassador Fletcher as the representative of the United States to the turbulent country of banditti.'
 There is every reason to believe that F'letcher's confirmation already held up in the Senate will be further delayed, if not indefinitely postponed General Car ranza, informed that he will be held ac- countable by the American government, is expected to make reply tomorrow morning.
 There was no indication tonight that the United States would take any action beyond demand for the apprehension and punishment of the outlaws; or at the most to hold General Carranza re- sponsible if it is shown that his officials were negligent in protecting the party.
 Although the latest outrage stirred the simmerihg Mexican situation again to the boiling point and drew an outblirst of attacks upon the administration in Con gross, probably unequalled since the Huerta crisis two years ago, there was no outward sign that President Wilson was being influenced to- alter his policy.
 A proposal by Senator Sherman. repub- lican for joint intervention by the Pan- American nations which led in the recog- nitiOn of General Carranza was referred without action to the Senate foreign rela- tions committee.
 DID NOT HEED WARNING
 While Secretary Lansing announced that every step will be taken to see that the perpetrators of this dastardly crime are apprehended and punished" he added that it was to be deplored that Americans had not needed the state department warning against exposing their lives in the guerilla warfare territory. In defin- ing the rights of Americans in territory under the sovereignty of another nation, the secretary declared that non combatant runs the danger of losing his liberty or his life if he ventures into ter ritory where the authority is uncertain. Although the attacks in Congress upon !. President Wilson's policy were almost unmeasured in terms, the administration was not without defenders among the democratic leaders, who challenged their critics to point out better, course and recalled that during the Taft adminstra- ton resolutions proposing intervention were vigorously opposed by the repub- licans.
 The most significant development of the congressional debate came In the Senate when Chairman Stone of the'foreign rea- tions committee himself a democrat de- clared that if General Carranza proved himself unfit to restore order, there is only one thing to do, and that is to go down there armed and intervene | For the present he counseled leaving the situation in the; hands of President Wilson,
 CTARM BREAKS IN