American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-11-02

long before plans were perfected. In the absence of ac-
tlon by the troops, civilians determined to avenge the
most atrocious crime that had been committed on the
border. Phones began to ring, asking for the donation of
cars to be used in pursuit. In less than thirty minutes the
desired number of cars had been secured was an
preached and asked if they could have my car. | said
they could, and that | would drive it. Asked when l
could be ready | said as soon as | could get some oil and
gas, | ran my. car into a garage and secured needed sup
plies and IN thirty minutes was back and ready to start.
When | arrived Cobb and Hearst were pleading with the
leaders and finally prevailed upon them to abandon the
undertaking..
personal knowledge. But there were many lesser ones.
on both sides of the border, that were less only in degree.
| know of seventeen men, guaranteed protection by Car
rama, who left Ell PaSo for Chihuahua, to look after in
terests there. They never reached their destination. The
train on which they were riding was stopped, they were
taken off and lined up alongside the track and shot down
In cold blood. 1t was reported that their bodies were rob
bed of clothing, but of this l do not personally know.
Many Americans were slain for no cause whatever, and
many a wife has been forced to be a witness to the exc
cutlon, and later suffer treatment worse than death.
From representatives of both Villa and Carranza |
learned that all classes of Mexicans except confirmed out
laws, held the United States in the highest esteem until
the attack on Vera Cruz. When the warships withdrew
without demanding indemnity, and leaving Americans
unprotected, the Mexican people became impressed with
the belief that the people of the United States were infer
ior and would not defend themselves or their interests.
"And when this administration demanded that Villa, Ia
pata and Carranza all surrender their aspirations and
agree upon someone who was not a partisan of either to
DE president, ana sustain MN until an election could be
held, and failing to so agree the United States government
would select and sustain such a person, Villa and Zapata
both agreed. Both sent very courteous notes in reply.
stating that they were tired of war and heartsick over the
distress of their people. Carranza declined to yield and
demanded that he be recognized. This was done, and the
breach with Villa begun. He swore vengeance for what
he considered to be ~treachery and has lost no opportunity
to wreak vengeance upon all Americans coming within his
power. AS outrage upon Americans followed outrage, |
was repeatedly told by Mexicans that nothing great
enough could be heaped upon American citizens to cause
this Government tO come to their defense
when some of Pershing's men were captured and i'm
priSOned and a demand made for their release, what pas
sed between President Wilson and President Carranza is
not so significant, and may not have been so much Of a de-
termining factor, as what passed between Mr.. Gompers,
president of the American Federation of Labor, and Car
rama. Mr.. Gompers, in the name of union labor, request
ed CarranZa to release the prisoners. For veriticatiOn
refer to a telegram sent by Carranza to Gompers on June
2Sth, last, in which Carranza said that in Difference
to the request of his friend (Mr. Gompers) the soldiers
had been released. The inference is that the assistance
of Mr.. Gompers was solicited. When before, in the his
tory of this or any other nation, has 1t been necessary to
appeal to civilians to secure redress of wrongs.
MANY more incidents, big and little, could be recited,
all pointing to an utter disregard of the rights of Ameri-
cans, and all emphasizing the expressed belief of Mexicans
that they will not be held to account for whatever they
may do. This belief is mistaken among the poems, which
make up the great body of the Mexican population which
that there is but one remedy, and that is to enter Mexico
as we did Cuba, and put her house in order. The belief is
also universal along the border, that this should have been
done when Vera Cruz was attacked, because this attack
aroused all classes of Mexicans, friends and foes alike and
made a peaceful settlement impossible.
THE COFFIN CLAIM.