The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-03-14
WILSON TO BLAME
FORM VI X G. M N [ 5!
He Petted and Pampered
Bandit Who Shot Up
Columbus.

WASHINGTON, March 14.-After
three years of "watchful waiting" as
a result of which the United States
has become a byword in Mexico and
in object Of contempt In Europe, Pres
ident Wilson has ordered American
troops into Mexico to capture and pun
ish the bandits, headed by Mr.. VIII
sons whilom friend and protege, Gem
eral" Villa, who shot up the town Of
Columbus, New Mexico, killing some
sixteen Americans, soldiers and civil
ians. American soldiers, by order of
General Pershing and In violation OF
the order of President Wilson-cross-
ed into Mexico in pursuit of Villa and
his gang, but because the troops were
inadequate by prepared for-such an ex-
petition, having no automobile supply
wagons, they were compelled to re-
turn when almost In sight of the ban
dts.
President Wilson. on receiving the
news from New Mexico. instructed
that Carranza's Ambassador in WASH
ington be asked to secure Carranza's
permission for American troops to pur-
sue Villa and his band. Soon after
wards. however, word came that, with
out waiting for permission from Wash
ington, General Pershing had ordered
the pursuit. Army officers are by no
means surprised at Villas raid on
Columbus, which they attribute to VII
las personal hatred OF, and desire
to be revenged on, Mr.. Wilson. They
point out that the President petted
and pampered Villa, overlooked and
excused his outrages on Americans
and other foreigners, facilitated his
procuring arms and ammunition and
tiatered by keeping Special Agent
Carothers constantly with him, so that
it was fully a week after Mr.. Wilson
had recognized Carranza before Villa
could actually realize that his patron
In the White House had thus repudiat-
ed and betrayed him. Being pro-
fessional bandit, without morals and
with a low order Of intelligence, VII
10 can now perceive no reason why
he should not revenge himself for
such treachery by killing every Am
erican he can reach.
Wilson to Blame
Everyone with real knowledge Of the
Mexican situation regards President
Wilson as entirely responsible for this
latest development, including the loss
OF seventeen ore American lives. AS
has been pointed out to him over and
over again, not alone by Republicans
but by well.informed Democrats, he
ought long ago to have done what he
Is now doing, namely, order an expedi-
ton to punish the perpetrators Of out
RACES on Americans. Instead, as Sem
ator Root pointed out, Mr.. Wilson
petted and caioled the bandits, Villa
and Carranza, and interviewed in Mex
leo, not to protect the rights OF AM
orleans or to punish those who had
murdered American men and outrag-
ed American women, but to drive
Huerta out OF Presidency. which he
accomplished by his landing troops
In Vera Cruz. This interference IN,
the Internal affairs Of Mexico destroy
ed the belief Of Mextcans in the good
faith OF the United States and won
for It only their contempt. AS Mr..
Root put 1t !: The Government. of the
United States ignored, condoned the 4
murder Of American men and the rape \
Of American women and destruction
OF American property and insult to 1
American officers and the efllementi
OF American flag, and Joined Itself to 4
the men whofwere guilty OF all those
things to pull down the power OF
Huerta,n x. !, IA y; isss 4 Ky,
Mr.. Root's Indictment
w Having traced the course o.. Mr.
Wilson in Mexico Mr.. Root said But
who can IA a quarrel and ihelptI