New Britain herald., 1916-03-09
President Wilson Directs Secretary of War
 Baker to Do Everything Possible to Afford for Americans Who Are in
 Danger in Bandit Chiefs Zone of Anarchy.

Washington, March 9.-Ffrst re- ports of the Mexican raid on Colum- bus, N. M., were received at the White House while President Wilson was having his first conference with Newton b. Baker, the new secretary of war. Officials admitted that the laid put a very serious aspect on the Mexican situation.
 Is Carranza Capable?
 While the policy of the administra- ton so far has been to look to the Carranza forces to deal with the bandits, some officials declared today that it was a grave question whether such a raid as that on Columbus was not sufficient evidence of the inability of the Carranza government to deal with the situation to warrant sending American troops over the line.
 New Agitation in Congress.
 The raid starte a new agitation in congress, where those who have op- osed the administration's Mexican polfcy openly charged that the attack was proof of their repeated dec1ara- l tions that the CarranZa government was impotent to deal with the Situa- tion and a fulfllment of their predic- tions that another outrage like the recent Cusi massacre, in which six teen or more Americans were killed by Villa bandits when they held up @ train, was only a question ot tune. There were indications early today that the Columbus massacre undoubt- edly would be the signal for another outbreak in the senate, where the opponents of the administration Mexican policy have been most active.
 Great Concern at White House.
 At the White House the report of the massacre was received with eVl- dences of the greatest concern. Officials most familiar with the presl- dent Mexican policy were silent put they indicated that the raid had brought the situation to a critical point. where it might be difficult to stand by the policy of non-lnterter- ence.
 After the president and MT. Bakar had discussed the. reports briefly, the president decided that the new secre- tary of war should take office at once. Ive signed MT. Bakers commission and the new secretary went to his new office to be sworn in.
 One of the probable courses most discussed in official circles was to send American troops over the line to clean out the bandits. It was pointed out that such action could be taken with a declaration that there was no intention to impair the sovereignty of Mexico, or purpose of occupation or territory, but simply to deal with situation menacing to the American border, over which tthe Carranza gov ternment evidently had no control.
 There is some conflict of opinion re- earding the authority of the war de- partment to send troops into foreign country without the consent of con- contend that all American troopers gress. Those who doubt the authority may do without further authority would be to repel Mexican marauders by fire.
 !; Others. however, contend that the constitution vests the president with authority to repel invasion, and that suthority, they say, includes the power to send troops over the line. They point out that in 1877 Secre- tary McCrary of the war department Instructed General Ord, commanding un the border. to notify the Mexican authorities that if they were unable To suppress disorders which menaced the American side, the United States would undertake the work, even if the outcome caused the occasional crossing of the line by American troops q Further precedentS for sending troops into Mexico to pursue the ban dits are found in the state depart ment archives. They are found in the history of border disturbances in 1875 and 1882.
 Bandits Will Be Punished.
 Secretary Baker transmitted to President Wilson reports about the attack on Columbus, as quickly as they were received at the war depart ment. It was said at the White House that vigorous steps would be taken to punish the bandits. The president directed Secretary Baker