Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-12
another Mexican Raid.

in many respects TO the massacre at Columbus,
proves the emptiness of Carranza's claim that his
troops are now capable of dealing effectively with
the bandit gangs Ii proves also the woeful in
adequacy OF the united States army on its present
basis, to protect the border country. After what
has happened at Glenn Springs and BoQuillas,
there be 10 further warrant or excuse for pro-
posing withdrawal of the American expedition
at any definite late; but there should be a speed
ing up of the military bill now awaiting final &C
ton in Congress.
Interestingly enough the latest forays upon
American communities conducted from Cen
eral Carranza's native State, CoahuiIa, where his
power, he insisted, virtually unchallenged.
Reports differ as to the number of brigands who
swOOped over the border from that region, some
dispatches estimating them at fifty and others at
several hundred. In any case. the fact that such
outlawry could gather head at center where the
de faeto government is avowedly at its strongest,
Is an ironic commentary that governments
claims. There is a suspicion, moreover, that de-
tachments of Carranzas own troops took part in
this incursOn. Some two weeks ago the members
Of the Carranza garrison at BoquilIas a Mexican
point just across the Rio Grande from the Texas
town Of the same name, disappeared; and the
rumor that they had deserted to Villas forces.
1t is noteworthy, in this connection, that reports
from the territory now occupied by General Per-
stitutionast troops to Villa
However this may be, it is manifest that Car
rama is far from mastery of the situation in
sections where he has professed to be most power
full much less in such turbulent country as that Of
Chihuahua and Sonora. He cannot expect, there
fore, that the United States will consider with
drawing cts punitive expedition until he has given
better evidence Of his ability to put down outlawry
and safeguard the American border Indeed. the
MIR Ar Cnrfr Do,
emphasize the long obvious need OF the de facto
governments giving the American forces a freer
hand and more substantial cooperation. 1t is
commonly believed that General Pershing's column
would have accomplished its mission weeks ago
had Carranzas troops been sympathetic instead of
indifferent and actually hostile. Mexican railway
service was needed to keep the American outposts
in supplies, but il has been withheld or, at most
grudgingly allowed. Mexican military assistance
was needed in cutting OF the retreat of Villas
bands; but time and again they have slipped safe
" through the CaTTanza lines So long as these
half-heaTted obstructive tactics are employed
the Mexican authorities cannot consistently ask
and need not expect, withdrawal of the American
expedition.
The conference between General Scott and
General ObEsgOn had reached a tentative agreement
for the clearing up of these problems, when the
new border raids befeIl. They should convince
General Carranza beyond further question that
the United States is justified abundantly in the
steps it has taken and purposes to maintain. If
he persists in opposing our Governments
plans to blot out the banditry, which he himself
cannot control in refusing to cooperate in those
plans actively and in thorough good faith, the
Mexican affair will drift from bad 10 worse and the
neighbOTly relations Of the two countries will be
broken. This aspect of the case is wholly for Car
rama and his generals to determine. 1t is to be
hoped that they will act wisely and in the interest
of peace.
On the American side. il is painfully clear that
no time should be lost in raising the size and
strength of the army TO needful standards This
ought to be done regardless of contingencies
across the Rio Grande. Those clouds may fade,
but their warning lessons should not be lost Our
present task in Mexico is trivial beside that which
war itself would impose The equipment and
maintenance of a merely punitive expedition has
strained military resources severely. Scores
of communities along the imperiled frontier are
beseeching protection, but there are no troops to
spare. General Funston declares
Il could use very easily twenty-five thou
sand troops in Arizona alone; and there
ought TO be that many in that one State
The number that should be along the south
ern border line of Texas should be greater
still
Yet the entire mobile army within the United
States at the time of the Columbus massacre in
cluded only about thirty-hve thousand men.
In justice to the nations vital interests, Con-
gress dare not delay the remedy for this truly
appalling unprelaredness. The army bill now in
the hsnds OF a House and Senate conference COM
mittee should be pressed into final form and en-
acted without further tempOrizing. The United
States should be prepared at least to protect its
borders against outlaw gangs Today it. is unable
to meet even that simple obligation. II should be
prepared to defend its shores against possible in
vasion and TO uphold it's sovereignty and honor
against foreign challenge. Not until legislation
providing an adequate army and navy is in effect
will these high interests be secure