Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-03-25
SENATORS ALARMED
ByB0RDER STATUS
Republican Members of Upper
House Discuss Peril
to Americans.
CONFERENCE POSTPONES
ACTION UNTIL MONDAY
information to Be Sought to De-
termine Need for Additional
Troops.

Uneasy over the situation on
the Mexican border Senate repub-
'licans today held a conference
with view to determining upon
a plan to ask for more troops to
protect the border. The confer
ence adjourned until Monday
without action. when some def
mite step will be taken.
The conference of the republicans
was called hurriedly by Senator CAL
linger as a result of a series of tele-
grams which have bombarded senators
for several days from American citi-
zens residing in border towns and
country districts. declaring that the
people are in danger of repetitions of
the Columbus massacre, and that, with
the departure of the American troops
in pursuit of Villa. there is an insult
ficient force to guarantee safety of life
and property.
Conference Well Attended.
More than half OF the republican SEN
ators attended the conference. and the
situation was discussed freely.
1t was asserted by every senator who
spoke that nothing was contemplated
that would embarrass the government
in the punitive expedition into Mexico
or to precipitate trouble with the de
fQ eynU ~ Y1a nj n h1f ho
action Of the President with regard to
the pursuit of Villa should be Endorsed,
but that the border situation seemed
to give just cause for alarm and fur
Their decisive and quick action.
Following the conference republican
leaders summed up the situation as
they viewed it They were unanimous
In the opinion that further measures
should be taken for the protection of
the border, and also to assure adequate
emergency support for American
trops already In Mexico. They felt that
the, border is dangerously exposed, as
shown in the morning papers in the
dispatches telling of the slaughter of
three more Americans near Columbus,
y. NJ.
The republicans further said that it
was farthest from their desire so to
offend as to cause trouble in Mexico,
but that there existed an intense situa-
ton with reference to Americans a
situation which very properly calls for
sending a large force to the border for
protection against lawless bandits who
are responsible to no one in Mexico.
For a Definite Policy.
The proposal was made that a COM
mittee Of senators be named to draft
definite expression Of policy relative to
the issue and to embody it in a resolu-
ton. Two resolutions were submitted.
one by Senator McCumber and another
by Senator Cummins
The resolutions were along similar
lines. setting forth what the senators
believed the occasion demanded in the
way Of more adequate defense meas
ures. indorsing the Presidents policy
in so far as II has gone and appealing to
the American people for support of
more aggressive action with reference
to policing Texas. Arizona and New
Mexico. where Americans are exposed
to imminent danger and possible death.
There was not time for the confer
ence to reach any, definite conclusion.
and 1t was also deemed advisable that
extraordinary efforts be made to get
more thorough and accurate informa-
tien as TO just exactly what the facts
and conditions are along the Mexican
boundary.
To this end several senators sent a
series Of messages to officials and &C
II also was deemed advisable to COM
municate with Senator Fall of New
Mexico, who is at Ell Paso. telling him
of the purpose of the conference and
it's desire for the actual conditions and
requirements Replies to these mes
sages are expected before the confer
ence Monday morning.
Would Help Administration.
One senator stated that the real pur-
pose of the conference was to deter
mine the exact situation and to see if
something could not be done to help
the government and welfare of endan-
gered American citizens.
I'VE would like TO have the President
of the United States know that we are
very uneasy over the situation" the SEN
ator said. land l have no doubt that the
President is uneasy. or course, some
body will charge US with playing pollt les
and that is unfortunate. for 1t Is not
politics. We are scolded every time we
open our mouths in the Senate on this
subject. but we don't mind that. If we
cannot get anything done ourselves we
can at least by unanimous action arouse
such public sentiment as to force ac-
ton by the ajority."
When the Senate met at the reouest
of Chairman Stone Of the foreign rela
tons committee. Senator Lewis CON
scented TO delaying discussion for one
week Of his resolution charging that
certain Americans had given aid to
Villa, and holding such ofYenses to be
treason against the United States
More Data to Present.
Senator Lewis asked if his resolution
| could be brought up for discussion
Monday. 81 wish 10 present certain
data which I have in connection with
the charges. and other senators also
wish to speak on the resolution" he
sa d.
! Vice President Marshall told him the
| resolution could be set for any time by
\ a two-thirds vote or could be brought
| up any moment by vote Of the Senate
| Senator Stone asked If Senator Lewis
| would be willing to let the resolution
| lie over for week if assured ii would
not lose its present status. The SEN
ator from Illinois agreed.
THREE BORDER MURDERS
REPORTED NEAR COLUMBUS
Story Told by Party of American
Motorists Lacks Official
Confirmation.