The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-21

the northern states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo Leon, Coahulia, Chihuahua and Sonora, and also in the states to the south. For example, on January 3, troops were re- quested to punish the bands of outlaws which footed the Cusi mining property, 80 miles west of Chihuahua, but no ef- fective results came from this request. During the following week the bandit Villa, with his band of about 200 men, was operating without opposition between Rubio and Santa Ysabel, a fact we'll krown to Carranza authorities. Mean while a party of unfortunate Americans started by train from Chihuahua to visit the Cusi mines after having received assurances from the Carranzista authori- ties in the state of Chihuahua that the country was safe and that guard on the train was not necessary. The Ameri- cans held passports, or safe conducts issued by authorities of the de facto gov ernment On January 10, the train was stopped by Villa bandits and IS of the American party was stripped of their clothing and shot in cold blood, in what is now known as the Santa Ysabel Mas sacre.'
 SAFETY OF AMERICANS
 "Candor compells me to add that the unconcealed hostility of the subordinate military commanders of the de facto government toward the American troops and the efforts of the de facto government to compel their withdrawal from Mexican territory by threats and show of military force instead of by aid- ing in the capture of the outlaws, con- stitute menace to the safety of the American troops and to the peace of the border. As long as this menace cou- tinues and there Is any evidence of an intention on the part of the de facto government or it's military commanders .~~,.o instead of cooperating with them, the government of the United States will not permit munitions of war, or machinery for their manufacture to be exported from this country to Mexico
 "As to the shelter and supply of reb- els and conspirators on American terri tory, I can state that vigorous efforts agents of the United States to appre bend and bring to justice all persons found to be conspiring to violate the laws of the United States by organizing to oppose with arms the de facto gov- ernment of Mexico
 Tt is admitted that American troocs have crossed the international boundary in hot pursuit of the Columbus raiders and without notice to or the consent of your government, but the several pro- testations on the part of this govern nent by the President. by this depart ment and by other American authori- ties, that the object of the expedition wos to capture, destroy, or completely disperse the Villa bands of outlaws, CT to turn this duty over to the Mexican authorities when assured that it would be effectively fulfilled, have been car r1ed out in perfect good faith by tho United States. Its efforts. however, have been obstructed at every point
 Meantime conditions of anarchy in the border states of Mexico were continually growing worse. In view of the inactivity of the Car ranza forces. of the lack of co-opera tion in the apprehension of the Villa hands and of the known encouragement and aid given to bandit leaders. it is unreasonable to expect the United States to withdraw it's forces fro-1 Mex leo territory or to prevent their err try again when their presence is the enly check upon further bandit out rages, and the only efficient means of oric