Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-22


N EMS from Mexico is disquicting There
y can no longer be any doubt that villa $
purpose III raidng Columbus was TO invite
Just such punitive expedition as the United
states now has sent OF his trail. TO lure this
expedition hundreds Of miles into the Interior
of Mexico. to contribute in every way pos
sihlc 10 popular evaporation, and so ulti-
matcly to transform punishment into active
intervention.
Doubtless Carranza is doing what he can
10 keep The passions and jealousics of his
peopl" within sounds. The propoSit ion
rmana,ing from him 20 make ia capture of
Villa joint enterprise indicates his good
faith. and should he accepted The dis
patches tell of q clash between Villas bandits
ANA CarrauZa troops. although they are not
a little indefinite as to the outcome and prob
able aftermath Of this encounter.
The obvious facts. despite the censorship.
are that the force under General Pershing
is pe.rtrating farther and farther into Mexico
reaching ii more broken and difficult country
ana separating itself more and more from its
base OF supplies Meanwhile Cunstitu-
tionalist army is being COLLECTED in Pershinr's
rear There is gossip to the erect that, in
stead of hating Villa. some OF the Carranza
detachmonts are perfectly willing 10 lei him
20 through their lines
These things have an omnouS aspect
They spell trouble. From wha, We have set
our hand TO do. We may not now withdraw
public sentiment in the United States would
not support or endure withdrawa-b but we
can hope. and should hope. that the capture
OF Villa will not be long delayed Every day
that this object remains unrralized increases
the situations dangers and uncertainties
With p"rshng and his troopers III Mexico
for an indefinite stay. il becomes obvious that
the Mexican railways must be utilized for
purposes OF supply and. possibly. for purposes
OF reinforcement There can be no uues-
ton about this. Keeping up communication
by pack train across 100 or 800 miles OF
dese't may be feasible for short period. hut
il cannot last II certainly will no, he al
lowed 10 last with a railroad paralleing the
pack trains route
General tarranza yet has shown no dis
position 10 aCQuiescc III use of the railroad
by American troops. In the protocol sub
United by his ambassador d signate at Wash
ington, and now under consideration. rail
transportation OF supplies and military equip
men is included hut nothing is said about
mon l. is not a, all certain that Carranza
will carry out the suggestions made by his
representative. and even if Carranza should
agree there il always the likelihood that the
Mexican people would repudiaIc the agree
mcnt
Under all The circumstances this nation has
two pressing duties One is 10 accelerate in
every way possible the efforts TO capture
Villa or force him into the hands OF the Car
ranIStaS. ana the other Is 10 increase the
army 10 ~ least 5000 men |, is exceed.
lNglv and unplcu sanity possible hat we shall
need that number OF men and more and
need Them quickly. II The danger is avoided
II may we'll be because have the strength
TO enforce compliance with our rcas enable de
mands. ~ any rate, we cannot afiord 10 take
any foolish chances.