The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-09

late today that the United States
was considering asking General
CarranZa permission to send
American troops into Mexico to
capture the villa bandits who
raided Columbus. N. M.
Washington, March 9.-Faced by a
new crisis in Mexican affairs by the
Columbus massacre. administration
officials admitted that President Will
son might find it difficult to refrain
longer from actual interference.
What administration leaders who IA
vor a watchfu1 waiting course fear
most is an outbreak in congress with
its consequent effect upon the coun-
try. The senate, particularly, which
contains many vigorous critics of the
presidents Mexican policy, has just
settled down from the furry over the
Cusi massacre of several weeks ago.
At the White. House the only word
given out was that steps would be
taken to punish the Villa bandits, but
it was not indicated whether General
Carranza would be called upon to do
so, or whether American troops would
be sent over the line.
Lansing to Carranza.
The memorandum is being prepared
with a view to its dispatch in case
Secretary Lansing decided to present
the case to General -Carranza. 1t
probably will be drafted along lines
similar to the communication sent
Carranza on the Santa YSabel maSsa-
ere, but because of the more serious
aspect of the present incident prob
ably will be firmer than the previous
one.
Washington, March 9-First re-
ports of the Mexican raid on Column
bus, N. M, were received at the White
House while President Wilson was
having his first conference with New
ton D. Baker, the new secretary of
war. Officials admitted that the raid
put q very serious aspect on the Mex.
lean situation
While the policy of the administra-
ton so far has been tA. look to the
Carranza forces to deal with the ban
dts, some officials declared today that
1t was grave question whether such a
raid as that on Columbus was nor suf-
fc1ent evidence of the inability of ne
Carr2nza government to deal with the
situation to warrant sending Ameri-
can troops over the line.
New Agitation.
The raid started a new agitation in
congress. where those who have op-
posed the administration Mexican
policy openly charged that the at
tacks were proof of their repeated
declarations that the Carranza gov
ernment was impotent to deal with the
situation and fulfiIlment of their
predictions that another outrage like
the recent Cusi massacre in which six
teen or more Americans were killed by
Villa bandits when they held up a
train, was only question of time
Swears in Baker at Once
After the president and Mr.. Baker
had discussed the reports briefly, the
president decided that the new sec
retary of war should take office at
once- He signed the commission and
Mr. Baker went to be sworn in.
One of the probable courses most
discussed in official circles was to send
American troops over the line to clean
out the bandits
1t was pointed out that such action
could be taken with declaration thai
there was no intention to impair the
sovereignty OF Mexico or purpose If
occupation of territory, but simply to
deal with a situation menacing to the
border over which the Car
rama governm mt evidently had 10
control.
Can Troopers Cross?
There is some conflict of opinion re-
sarding the authority of the war de-
partment 70 send troops into a or-
eisn country without the consent Of
congress. Those who doubt the au-
thority contended that all American
troopers may DO without further au-
thority would be to repel Mexican
by fire. other officials,
however, contend that the constitution
vests the president with authority to
repel invasion and that authority they
say includes the power to send troops
over the line. They point out that
IN 1877 Secretary McCrary of the war
instructed General OId,
on the border, to notify
the Mexican Authorities if they were
unable TO suppress disorders which
menace the American side, the United
States would undertake the work, even
if the outcome caused the occasional
crossing of the line by American
troops.
Further precedents for sending
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