Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-22
An Act of War.

The expected happened in Mexico yes
terday A detachment of the expedi-
| tionary force under Gen. Pershing was
suddenly attacked by troops of the
Mexican government, with heavy losses
on both sides. and today the issue of
war seems to be dangerously close.
| 1t is impossible at this time to de-
termine assuredly the responsibility for
the conflict at Carrizal, which has been
| reported thus far almost exclusively
| from Mexican sources. The early re-
ports. received last night. indicated that
| the fight was caused by treachery on
| the part of American troops who fred
upon their Mexican messengers sent to
warn them from pursuing a certain
course. These reports, however, were
not consistent with the well established
character of American officers and troops.
and with the definite policy adopted for
the conduct of the punitive expedition
to avoid hostilities with the troops of the
de facto government. Later dispatches
showed a conflict even among the Mex
lean reports. while unofficial personal
reports brought by Americans threw
totally different light upon the affair and
indicated that the American troops were
actually ambushed, being led into trap
one statement averring that flag of
truce had been used as decoy.
Until confirmed by authoritative re-
ports the statement will not be credited
that American soldiers, without excuse
or justification, opened an attack upon
Mexican soldiers. Every consideration
of their own security, outnumbered as
they are, would lead to strict obedience
,, of the injunction to hold within their
assigned area. 1t is far more likely that
| the attack was precipitated by the Mex
leans themselves, following as it did so
closely upon the delivery Of the Ameri-
can note in reply to the Carranza de-
mand for the withdrawal Of the punitive
expedition
Unless it is promptly repudiated by
| the government at Mexico City with
trustworthy assurances Of immunity
from treacherous assault hereafter, this
attack at Carrizal will probably be re-
garded by the United States as an act
of war calling for immediate decision
| for the long delayed Intervention in
Mexico. Obviously conditions south of
the Rio Grande are such as to invite a
conflict. The apparent inability Of the
Mexican government and people who
recognize and accept the good faith Of
this country in its pledges Of respect
/ for Mexican territory and sovereignty
makes for conflict The ineapacity Of
the Mexican government to deal with the
brigandage from which the American
border has suffered so sorely in the re-
cent past justifies the United States
fully in maintaining its expedition on
Mexican soil
| War might be at this time avoided by
complete withdrawal from Mexico Of
all our forces. But it may be doubted if
this could be done if it were to be de-
sired. Prejudice and Misrepresentation
have so thoroughly done their work in
inflaming the Mexican populace that it
is to be questioned If Gen. Pershing's
force could be brought back to the
boundary without inviting attack.
| But there is no occasion for justifca-
ton for such withdrawal. The case is
no different today from that which was
set forth In the note sent by Secretary
Lansing to Carranza on Tuesday. Our
forces are in Mexico by right of condi-
ton Of which no change is indicated.
They cannot be withdrawn without peril
to American prestige and without loss Of
honor. They are there to stay until their
work is finished, even if through a sad
misconception of our purposes the Mex
lean people force war upon the United
States