Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-09
Invasion of American Terri
tory by Bandits Stirs
the Capital.
ASK BETTER DEFENSE
Carranza Government Is
Believed Impotent to
Handle Situation,

by new crisis in Mexican affairs
by the Columbus massacre, admin
istration officials admitted that
President Wilson might find it d;f-
ficuIt to refrain longer from actual
interference.
At the White house the only
word given out was that steps
would be taken to punish the Villa
bandits but it was not indicated
whether General Carranza would
be called upon to do so or whether
American trops would be sent over
the line.
Secretary Lansing announced late
today. that the United States was con-
sidering asking General Carranza for
permission to send American troops
into Mexico to capture the Villa band
its who raided Columbus, n. NJ, and
that the troops would be withdrawn
when they had accomplished their pur-
pose. 1t was said that the request for
into Mexico probably would be for
warded to General CarranZa before
night.
Washington, March 9.-First reports
of the Mexican raid on Columbus, N
NJ, were received at the White house
while President Wilson was having his
first conference with Newton D. Baker,
the new secretary of war. Officials ad-
mitted that the raid put very serious
aspect on the Mexican situation.
While the policy of the administra-
ton so far has been to look to the Car
rama forces to deal with the bandits
some officials declared today that it
| was grave question whether such a
raid as that on Columbus was not suf-
| ficient evidence of the inability of the
7 Carranza government to deal with the
situation to warrant sending American
troops over the line.
General Funston Reports.
Major General Funstons first report
on the Columbus massacre says three
/ troopers were killed and that four were
wounded. 1t did not bring full details.
| General Funston's report said firing
| had ceased at $50 o'clock and that
| cavalry was in pursuit of the bandits
! southwest of Columbus. The number
of civilian dead was unknown at that
time
! An unofficial report received here and
/ transmitted to the Carranza embassy
I said the 18th cavalry had crossed the
border in pursuit.
Renew Mexican Agitation.
The raid started a new agitation in
| congress, where those who have OPP
posed the administration Mexican
policy, openly charged that the attack
was proof of their repeated declara-
/ tons that the Carranza government
was impotent to deal with the situa-
! ton and fulfillment of their predic-
| cent Gust massacre in which Is OF
more Americans were killed by Villa
bandits when they held up train was
only a question of time.
There were indications today that
the Columbus massacre undoubtedly
would be the signal for another out
break in the senate where the oppo-
nents Of the administration policy
have been most active. Early today nc
official reports had been received by
the war or state departments or the
| Carranza embassy.
| Officials familiar with the presidents
Mexican policy were silent, but indi-
Gated the raid had brought the situa-
ton TO critical point, where it might
be difficult to stand by the policy OF
n0ninterference.
/ Baker Takes Office.
After the president and Mr.. Baker
/ had discussed the reports briefly, the
president decided that the new secre-
tarv shouId take office at once He