El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-06-28
INTERVENTION
IS INEVITABLE
Congressman Smith Says
Should Have Come When
Fired Into FL Paso.


Intervention in Mexico is inevitable
United States government had begun
the task before now. Congressman W.
r. Smith. who reached Fl Paso Tuesday
evening. declared emphatically.
The Mexican situation has become
acute since left Washington two
weeks ago" said Mr.. Smith I may
feel it my duty at any time to return
70 Washington to assist in passing
whatever legislation may be deemed
necessary 10 take care Of the situation
Have just Grounds.
7 regard Intervention as inevitable
and. in my judgment, we have many
just grounds for intervening It seems
that the Carranza government Will not
protect our citizens and our border,
and viii not permit Us 10 do so. In fact,
they have been throwing many Obsta-
cles in our way, instead Of helping US.
is certain-and the sooner it is com
menced the better il viii be. It would
have been really better II 1t had been
undertaken some time ago.
Carrnnza Not Able.
Carranza never has demonstrated his
ability or his inclination to furnish
any adequate protection for our citi-
zens or our border As a matter Of
fact ] do not believe he Is able. even
II he were ever SO earnest in his de
sire 10 help and protect He does not
have the finances, for one thing. and
then ne seems to lack any hold or con
troll Of the people
Il do not believe that any tempo
rary adjustment OF our differences
would have any lasting value Trouble
would be sure TO break out anew 1
think IL has been demonstrated beyond
any doubt whatever that the Mexican
people are not capable Of establishing
a stable government and restoring
peace and order. That is work which
the United States must do for them.
Firing in Fl PasO.
while president Taft was in office,
firing from JuareZ and Aqua Prieta re-
suited in the wounding and killing Of
American citizens in Fl Paso and
Douglas. President Taft took the po-
sition that our citizens ought TO for
sake their homes in the United States.
and 30 out into the hills. in order TO
escape the bullets fired from Mexican
soil made a speech on the floor
of the house. in which I declared that
American citizens. occupying their own
homes, were entitled TO the protection
OF this government. If IL should re-
quire all the military forces of this
government to afford such protection
President Taft later came to this view.
and orders were issued 10 the military
20 give our people protec-
ton. in the event OF the REPETITION Of
such incidents.
Asked Troops to Invade.
For the last five years ] have keen
diligent in my efforts at Washington
to have our border adequately protect
ed Immediately following the Colum-
bus raid. I made a speech in the house
demanding that American troops be
sent into Mexico to capture Villa and
his followers The authority for the
punitive expedition to go into Mexico
was made the same day
since then 7 have held to the posi-
ton that our troops should not he with
drawn from Mexico. so long as their ,
presence in Mexico was necessary for
our protection I have maintained that Z
this should be done, regardless Of Car
ranza's opinion in the matter Devel- [
opments since that time have been such !
as would convince anyone that our (
troops should not be Withdrawn until n I
stable government has been established /
"a government that viii assure fun {
protection to our border and will be I
able TO maintain peace and order in Z
Mexico.
Supported Bill for Trained Volunteers.
Il have given my unualified support Z
TO the military bills which. in nv oDin-
lon seemed best for our preparedness {
I did not support the bill Tor an army of I
-9u'oVV men, Tor / knew that we could
not raise any such army. Under the
terms Of enlistment our army could
not be increased at a rate Of 1000 men
a year. I did support the bill for
an army Of $4,000 men I worked for
the provision for a trained volunteer I
force Of 500 men from each congress
slonal district, which would have meant +
the material for an army Of 261 500
men This last provision was killed I
was the only Texas congressman to /
support the provision"
Pleased With Campaign Outlook.
How IS your campaign progressing I
Mr. Smith was asked
Fine" ne replied II am much
pleased with the outlook. ! went to
last November to attend
this session. and I remained there until
Two weeks ago. I thought nv pres
-nce IN washington was of more i'm
Dortance TO NV constituents than auv
-ffOrt ] might have been making TO
secure reelection. IL was not until two |
Continued on page Il. Col. ID