Deming graphic., 1919-07-01

be much longer delayed. Patrolling
the border and punative expeditions do
not prevent the killing Of Americans
either ON American soil or in Mexico.
The next logical step and one that
should have been taken long ago Is the
military occupation Of the country with
American police and fiscal administra-
ton. when win our government
aet:" IL being asked.
To advocate war at this time Is not
a pleasing nor 4 popular appeal to pub
lie interest but the lack Of a sound and
vigorous policy In our relations 10 Mex
leo has led to the outraging and killing
of American citizens here and in Mexi-
co and continual alarm along the bor-
der. This Is an htolerable situation
Had our policy been one Of absolute
non.interference in Mexico the condi-
tions might not have been so acute.
What we have been doing is backing
one bandit against the other in turns
trying, evidently, to pick winner, and
the results have been to arouse the en-
nifty of all factions and to spread an
archy where there was some semblence
to government before.
Francisco villa is an ignorant rascal
and a bandit, but he was the only
strong spirit in Mexico capable OF
Infringing order out Of chaos and IL is To
be recorded to his credit that he has
always struggled with the ambition OF
establishing government that would
lift the burden from the bowed necks
of the poems and that, in the main, he
is the only Mexican leader that has
anv disposition to deal fairly by for
eigners and their investments. The
Graphic has many times pointed out
that while he is alive he will continue
to be a factor in Mexican politics. II
is believed by many that had not ouI
government aided the. rotton CarranZa
regime, villa would by now have es
tablished order south Of the Ri'
lGrande and the Mexican situation
would not now be a thorn in our flesh
The protest OF Texas TO the trans
ferring of Mexican federal or othe
troops through United States territor!
shows clearly that Americans lNinI
along the border are tired of playinI
into the hands Of those that flout ant
insult the American flag, murde
American citizens and destroy thei
property. Neither do they take kindl!
10 military interference that Is not
settled policy, because the results ar
TO call down the vengence of the dan
dts ON the helpless American citizen
, abandoned to their fate
t, The villa faction is growing stronge
Judging from reports. II has certalnl
gained in securing again the service
of Gen. Felipe Angeles capable al
tillery officer OF experience, trainln
and sound Judgment He is easily tn
best scientific soldier in Mexico a
villa is the best guerrilla. Given tn
sinews OF war this combination wi
win, barring, Of course, American inte
ference to bolster up the declinin
Carranza regime.
Secretary Baker makes statemeI
that bandits will be followed to Me-
leo City IL necessary" which show
how little the secretary Of war konv
about the habits OF Mexican bandit
other than those he has aided al
whose habitat has been Mexico City
Pointing rather strongly TO the Cara
IN faction. Other bandits we follo'
= ed-to where and to what purposef \
ANALYSIS OF the secretary's statement
: not reassuring, except 10 those wi
read into it their own desires, and th
IL does promise a new policy, does n
appear. We have always reserved q
right to follow bandits into Mexico.
!, There is the matter Of cost In bio
= and in treasure Of the occupation. Ii
= would he lost by an occupation OF {
country, and it would cost probal
more than the present border patr
= while operations were active. But
), would stop the killing OF unarm
;. Americans, allow the development
the border country, permit the exp'
- sion OF American investments In Me
- co. and. best Of all, It would solve
problem and permit the withdraw
within a measurable space Of time
the American army now held at en-
nous expense on the border.