New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-18
Reinforce the Border Army!


becomes.
It's communications have to be protected.
II cannot live off the country, since there
is practically nothing there to live off. All
supplies must be carried in from the man
base on this side of the boundary line
Sub-bases must he established within Mex
lean territory, and to keep communications
open a force will be required much larger
than that actually engaged in pursuing
Villa and his fellow bandits.
The difficulties and dangers Of the eX-
petition are aggravated by the fact that
General Pershing cannot depend unre-
servedly on the friendly cooperation
whether active or passive, of Mexican
troops and the Mexican population. lie is
operating in lawless district. Civil gov
eminent has been practically suspended
there for the last three years. Chihuahua
has been a Villa stronghold ever since
Villa broke with Carranza. Many Of
Villas supporters accepted service under
Carranza after the formers military ma
chine was smashed and he had to take TO
the mountains. Carranza's representa-
tiyes have not had time to get the situa-
ton under control, either in Chihuahua or
Sonora Shippers, guerillas or disaffected
Carranza soldiers are likely to make cause
at any time with Villas bandits in attack
ing the American invaders.
General Pershing has to reckon, there
fore, on a smoudering hostility which
may burst into fame at the first serious
encounter between Americans and Mexi-
cans. Even with the best will on the part
Of Carranza and his Cabinet, some hot
headed or INSCRIPTIONS subordinate in
Chihuahua may precipitate a clash with
the American forces which will be the
signal for a general outbreak of patriotic
jealousy and passion.
Then more than the fate of the tiny
American columns across the border will
be involved. Were the Mexican factions
to unite in war of patriotism against the
United States our entire border would be
in danger FL Paso could not be defended
against an attack by superior Mexican
forces. The Mexicans can easily assemble
10000 TO 100000 troops for an invasion
Of our territory al points where the rail
road lines cross. We now have about
10000 men to oppose them, including The
cxpeditionary forces dispersed through
Chihuahua. Leaving these out of consid-
Grafton, we have only about 10000 men
with whom TO guard an absolutely unforti-
fed boundary 1900 miles long.
Were a Mexican general Of Obregon's
capacity to decide 70 carry home to us the
lesson of our defencelessness. he might
even lay tribute on San Antonio.
In view of these grave possibilities Of
the immediate danger TO our expeditionary
force and the less immediate danger TO
our border cities, the Administration is
counting disaster in not moving at once to
concentrate additional forces on the Mexi-
can boundary line. Twenty thousand men
are being recruited TO fiji up to war
strength the infantry, cavalry and field
artillery regiments now serving in CONT
mental United States. But these men will
not be available for several weeks at least.
When they are incorporated into the
cadres in the field we shall have only
$4,000 men-perhaps fewer-with which
TO repel attacks by a greatly superior force
Of Mexicans, if by any chance the entry Of
our armed forces into Mexico results in
war.
The President has the power TO call on
the state militia organizations for service
inside the United States. These forces are
sufficiently trained TO constitute second
line. They can act as reserves, do patrol
duty, guard railroad communications, and
thus relieve for frst-line service all the
regulars now on the frontier. IL would be
a valuable experience 70 these bodies TO
take the field. They would get a more
practical training in Texas. New Mexico
and Arizona than they do in the Northern
summer camps.
The national guard, 30 called is about
70 be "federalized," with its own hearty
approval. II is ambitious 20 become real
clement in the national defence II would
have the advantage over any substitute
body Of volunteers Of being already or
ganized. II IL fully Offered and has a
partially experienced staff service. II
other volunteers were called out they
would have 70 undergo concentration camr
training for couple " months and bc
commanded by officers extemporized and
hastily assembled
Something should be done at once 70
s'Fcngthen the inadequate forces now on
&c Mexican border. They have a task
sforc them 70 which they are not equal.
= b unfair ~ them ~ ask them 20 do the