New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-29
The Real Danger on the Border

the Mexican border is thoroughly Wilson
ian. In order TO excuse himself for not
taking reasonable precautions for the
safety Of the expedition sent into Mexico
and for the safety Of the border towns,
Mr.. Wilson bitterly condemns certain I'M
known persons for spreading rumors
which tend to make the situation of Cen
eral Pershing's forces and Of the American
communities along the Mexican boundary
still more precarious.
1t is a dastardly thing TO circulate false
reports (for Mexican consumption OF the
intentions of the United States govern
ment toward Mexico or false reports flor
American consumption Of the disaffec-
ton and treachery Of Carranza troops now
engaged in helping General Pershing TO
hunt down Villa. But with the situation
as it is on the Mexican border the spread
ing of alarmst rumors is to a large extent
merely the outgrowth of a general and
genuine feeling of alarm. The true peril
lies in the situation, not in the circulation
of false news about il. The traffic IN
falsehood" of which the President COM
plains is not the cause of the trouble and
danger which are imminent on the from
tier; it is only an effect and symptom
We're conditions not in themselves, omi-
nous. they could hardly be made so by
statements in one days news which the
next DAYS news shows to have been impu-
dent fabricatiors.
The fundamental facts Of danger on our
side of the border and chaos on the MeM-
can side cannot be brushed away by abuse
Of those who originate and spread alarm
ing ruraors. Here, as everywhere else, Mr..
Wilson's logic works only in vacuum. If
words were never TO result in deeds, if all
a government had TO do was TO split argu-
mentative hairs and merely try to fix
moral responsibility on the various factors
contributing TO an evil and dangerous
situation, the Presidents warning might
be welcomed as a useful and helpful docu-
pent
But we are living in world in which the
need of facing the consequences of crimes,
plumbers and malicious misrepresentation
takes precedence of the need Of fixing the
degrees of blame therefor. 1t will not
solace Americans on the border with their
lives and property endangered-it will not
remove the stain on American honor which
would come from massacre of part or all
Of our tiny expeditionary forces in Mex
toto be told that the blame for Mexi-
can outbreak, catching us unprepared,
must rest with unnamed persons who have
been putting false rumors into circulation
through the various press agencies.
No matter now who caused the unrest
on both sides Of the boundary line, who is
to blame for Villas attack on Columbus
or who is melting the Mexicans TO an up
rising against the hated gringos, the Ad-
ministration must face the fact that our
military force on the Mexican boundary
is at present insufficient and that the peo-
pie Of our border states are not at present
secure. The Administration should look
ahead, not behind. 1t should err, when II
errs, not on the side Of inaction, but on the
side of action.
The national guard is needed on the
Mexican line 10 reinforce our understood
mobile army. Villa is fleeing further and
further south. The lines of communica
ton Of the Pershing expedition are now
stretched nearly to the breaking point
There has been no friction so far in Mex
leo between American troops and the Car
rama forces. But il che chase for Villa
continues for two, three or four weeks lon
ger, who can say that the present condi-
tons Of concord and cooperation will con-
tinue?
The United States is risking too much
on single dangerous throw. II our plans
e, wrong and disaster happens, we should
be prepared 10 face the worst. Our mobile
army has been drawn upon until practi.
cally no available reinforcements are left
The national guard is our only resource
II we are 70 mobilize enough men on the
Mexican border for all emergencies.
The country will applaud the President
in chasing down the false rumormonger,
who are stirring up bad feeling in Texai
and in Mexico. But that is a side issue
Tho need Of the hour is 70 strengthen ou
military position in the danger zone. I
4 the national guard were called out Amer
cans would cease 20 feel that the safety 0
our expedition in Mexico and Of our horde
cities was dependent entirely upon the goo,
faith md cn-rtn..1. ..L.-.A.. L