New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1916-03-11
U. S. PROMISES TO PUNISH
BANDITS.

that President Wilson might find
it difficult to refrain longer from
actual interference.
What the administration lead
crs who favor 4 Watchful waiting
+. course fear most is an outbreak
in congress with It's effect upon
the country. The senate partic-
ularly which contains many Wig
orous critics Of thcs adminiStra-
ton s Mexican policy has just
settled down from the furry over
the Cusi massacre Of several
weeks ago.
AT the State Department it was
said that the situation was very
scrious.' but that no announce
mcnt Of what action could be tax
en- would be announced until an
official investigation was con
cluded.
4 The Department is understood
to have begun the draft Of mem
orandum to Gen. Carranza. based
on the report of Gen. Funston.
! At the White House the only
word given out was that steps
would he taken to punish the
Villa bandits but it was not ind-
Gated whether Gen. Carranza
would be called upon to do so. or
whether American troops would
be sent over the line.
Senator Fall of New Mexico.
Republican, one Of the foremost
opponents Of the President s
Mexican policy, sent kilograms to
railroad officials and citizens in
the vicinity Of Columbus asking
for details.
The news of the raid spread
over the capitol with startling eff
feet. Senator Stone, chairman Of
the foreign relations committee,
at once got into communication
with the State Department and
asked Senator Fall for a confer
ence.
Senator Robinson of Arkansas,
Democrat, said: I
'That means intervention. |
don t see what else can be done"
Senator Tillman declared the
news was almost incredible.
There never has been presi-
dent who tried so hard to keep
out of war as President Wilson,
he said. "but if this is true, it
looks as if Gen. Funston would
have to get busy at once
The State Department S mem
orandum is being prepared with
a view to its dispatch in ease Sec
retary Lansing decides to present
the ease to Carranza. 1t prob
ably will be drafted along lines
similar to the communication sent
to Carranza on the Santa YsobeI
massacre. but because Of the more
serious aspect will probably be
firmer.
At the White House the report
OF the massacre was received with .
evidences Of the greatest concern.
Officials most familiar with the
Presidents Mexican policy were
silent. but they Indicated that the
raid had brought the situation to
a critical point, where it might
be difficult to stand by the policy
of non-interference.
After the President and n. ID.
Baker had discussed the reports
briefly, the President decided that
the new secretary Of war should
take office at once. lie signed
Mr. Bakers commission and the
new secretary went to his new
office to be sworn in.
One Of the probable courses
most discussed in official circles
was to send American troops
over the line to clean out the
bandits. 1t was pointed out that
such action could be taken with
a declaration that there was no
intention to impair the sove-
reignty Of Mexico. or purpose of
occupation Of territory, but was
simply to deal with a situation
menacing to the American border
over which the Carranza govern
ment evidently had no control.
There is some conflict Of opin-
ion regarding the authority Of
the War Department to send
troops into foreign country
without the consent Of Congress.
Those who doubt the authority
contend that all American troop
ers may do without further au-
thority would be to repel Mexi-
can marrauders by fire.
Other officials. however, con-