Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-03-15

General Funston's recommendation
| to the war department, following tn.
Columbus raid. contained positive
statement that the Carranza forces
have made no resolute effort to get
| into contact with villa. Instead, they
| have given every evidence of being
afraid OF him. After the Santa YsabeI
| murders In January there was a show
OF activity. A detached band OF
Sillistas was run down. and its leaders
shot without the formality of a court
martial. But since then Villas men
| have been, active along the border.
challenging from Earranza an 'interfe, =
encs which he could not offer and ma =
turing unmolested their plans for the
outrage perpetrated on Thursday.
The circumstances Of the Columbus
raid SO thoroughly establish the inabil-
ity of carranza to control the northern
provinces that 1t would be absurd for
him to attempt interference with the
control We ourselves have undertaken
to secure. But the absurdity Of the at
tempt Is no assurance that ii will not
be made. A prudent survey of his own
meager resources and an intelligent es-
innate of the injury which Villa and
his bandits will work to organized gov
eminent in Mexico, IL they remain I'M
caught, should deter Carranza from
obstructing our plans. The adoption
OF this course implies broad states
manship, the temporary subordinatfon
or personal pride TO the public good
and a frankness in admitting his own
weakness which have not SO far
marked Carranza's career in the Mexi-
can presidency. There is an ominous
suggestion Of trouble today in his re-
quest that the United States give per-
mission to Mexican troops to pursue
bandits into United States territory.
We're our impotence to deal with ban
dts invading our soil So pronounced
as the impotence of the Mexican gov
eminent to deal with bandits on its
own soil there might be criticism of the !
request. nor any question as to grant !
ing II. But il appears now as an effort |
TO create friction where none need ex- |
st and to complicate for US the dis |
charge OF an unwelcome duty in which |,
the beneti, TO Mexico VIII be even /
greater than the benefit to ourselves.
Interyen ton. in the ordinary accept |
ance of the term. We do not yet at
tempt. Intervention would mean
to Mexico City. as well as
luafCninB thr0 tnlHOanCd, In pursuit
Of Villa. II would mean war upon
CarTanza. the overturn OF his govern
ment and the setting up of our own
government IN It's stead. II would nea n
the union OF ali Mexican factions
against US. and, in ali probability. a
long, bloody and expensive guerrilla
war. This extreme measure can be
avoided only by an exercise, Of good
sense ON Carranza's part. II he compels
us TO do SO, we must eliminate him, as
we shall eliminate Villa, SO that De-
riod shall be put to factionalism In
Mexico.
For the second time within two
years our flag is being carried upon
Mexican soil, at the head OF armed
forces. On the first occasion we failed
TO achieve our purpose. On this oc-
casion we shall not fail. And while
that purpose. as now proclaimed. is
limited to the punishment OF Villa ri
can readily be extended, II good judg-1
ment does not dominate counsel. at
Mexico City. The least difficult part
of the administration program is the
dispatch Of Funston and his men. The
real problems lies In restraining Car
rama from a futile and criminal policy.
The solution Of that problem will tax
all the resources OF Mr.. Wilson's diplo-
macy-Baitimore Sun (democrat). U,