New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-04-22
The Breakdown in Mexico.


leo has been hidden from the public IS at
last lifting. Mr. Robert Dunns notable
dispatch to The Tribune from General
Pershing's headquarters, published yester-
day, lays bare the failure of our hunt after
Villa. 1t analyses dispassionately the
causes of the failure and puts the respon-
sibility for it squarcly where it belongs
on an Administration which neglected TO
make sufficient military preparation for
The defence Of our interests on the MeXl-
can border. and was consequently COM
PEELED to trust for the success-even for
the safcty-of the Villa expedition to
illusory promises Of cooperation on the
part of an unwilling and feeble dc facto
Mexican government.
The chase after Villa did not end in dis
appointment because our soldiers were
lacking in energy. endurance or daring.
They accomplished wonders with the re-
sources at their command. The expedition
was conducted with admirable skill. The
officers and troopers who pushed five nun
dred miles southwark to Parra through
an exceptionally rough and barren country,
covered themselves with glory. They did
their full duty.
But their splendid service was wasted
because they were handicapped at every
turn by scanty numbers. insufficient equip
mcnt and supplies. lack of proper trans
portation and the ever present necessity OF
guarding against attacks from normally
friendly bodies of Carranzistas.
Our fast-and-loose diplomacy with the
Carranza government sent an understood
American force into Mexico without clear
guarantees of friendly assistance. General
Carranza has recently extracted from the
Administration an admission that he really
never consented to the entry of American
troops into Mexico. Confessing that the
chase was begun under misunderstanding
OF the First Chiefs attitude, the President
and Secretary Lansing were obliged there
after to accept such scant and grudging
courtesies as the Carranza government
was willing to extend.
Our troops were debarred from the use
Of the railroads in Chihuahua. They were
also forbidden TO enter Mexican towns and
villages. They were compelled to push
ahead without establishing adequate lines
Of communication At the first clash be-
tween our soldiers and the Mexican popu-
lace Carranza publicly withdrew his pas
sive assent to the continuance of the expe-
dition. and the Administration had 10 face
the question either of withdrawing our
forces or of keeping them in Northern
Mexico in open defiance of Carranza, just
as we acted in open defiance of Huerta
when we sent marines and sailors into
Vera Cruz. The Administration must, in
fact. choose now between withdrawal and
war.
When orders were given to General
Funston 70 start a column south from Co
lumbus, n. NJ. it was discovered that the
army on the border was not supplied with
auto trucks. These were hurriedly pur-
chased We had eight scouting aeroplanes
all but two Of them were soon disabled. 1t
j. humiliating 70 be told, as Mr.. Dunn tells
us. that since March 81 the advanced cav
airy troops have all suffered "real priva-
tons" Each mounted command has been
living off the country, chiefly on beef and
parched corn"-and in the scantiest guam
titles.
The 10th Cavalry has been forced to
finance cts own provisioning and equip
ment, spending some $4,000 Clipped in by
officers and men, according to their re-
sources"
II is a story throughout Of the break
down Of military organization and admin
!, stration - aggravated by a diplomatic
'Gasco, thanks to which our government
feels obliged 10 describe the expedition as
one undertaken with the approval and CO.
operation Of the dc tocto regime. whereas,
in fact the attitude Of that regime toward
!; is ono Of impotence and ill-concealed
hostility. The INDIGESTION OF Mr. Wilson s
Mexican policy has dovctaied in with his
long continued neglect Of military prepare
ton on the Mexican border 20 produce n
situation charged for Americans with peril
and humiliation.
The safety Of the army in Mexico now
apparently depends on is quick concentra-
ton and withdrawal. We may come out
Of Mexico empty-hsnded and without
honor. That viii be the penalty OF our own
fragrant Encouragement. Our attempt "a
capture Villa, dead or aliye." has com.
plctely failed The safety Of our gallan,
little army, exposed 20 starvation and mas
sacre, Is now the most immediate consider.
alton. II Mr. Wilson is unwilling TO rem.
\ force the inadequate force now in Mexico
he should withdraw IL without delay.
Valuable lives should not be sacrificed
10 the cDntin sDce of :. se,obi,,c. ~ it,