The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-05-21
MEXICAN BORDER VISIONS PEACE AS
UNITED STATES. RECOGNITION NEARS
Banditry Starts as Farley
ConVeneS-Government
Enemies Busy,

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ranchers are keeping a wary
eye on Mexico. They hope at
last permanent peace has come to
that narrow strip of land along both
sides of the Rio Grande But past
history makes them uneasy. They
half expect trouble.
1t was ever thus on the eve Of
recognition by the United States of
her insurrection-torn southern neigh
Dor.
Now such acknowledgment Of the
present government looms an ap-
preaching reality.
A joint commission of two Ameri-
cans and two Mexicsns Is meeting in
Mexico City for an exchange of views
in an effort to negotiate a basis of
concession.
In the past, similar overtures. like
the rumblings of a storm, have proven
but ominous signals for raids by
dying squads of Mexican desperadoes,
who had been thoroughly discredited
by their own government.
just Like a Boy
Hence folk hereabout are wont to
liken unofficial Mexico at such times
tc a small boy out in company.
And so this may be significant:
Just as the Joint commission meets,
two officers near Laredo are charged
with the murder Of six Italians who
had bribed them to be smuggIed
across the border.
Circumstances show the wholesale
slaughter was not TO thwart Presi-
dent Obregon. but purely for robbery.
The result, however, in way, is the
same
Ever Size May IS. 1910. when Por,
fro Diatz was driven out. trouble
started brewing on just such occa-
siQns AS now exist Five administra.
tons came and went before Aware
Ohregon assumed office Dec /. 1920
BanditTy Breaks Loose
And in each instance just as the
United States was about to recognize
the powers in control. or Immediately
after such recognition was given.
handitry broke loose. Either they
| crossed the border and harassed Amer
leans. or they started instructions.
Those who know say that Obregon
is making the best president the revo-
luuon-ridden republic ever had. He
has opened schools He has slim
ulated industry. lie has constantly
thought Of the peoples interests.
But now. when Charles b Warren
and John Barton Payne for the United
States are comforting with Ramon
! Ross and Fernando Gonzales for Mex
leo. tension along the border has
grown taut And they've a reason.
For consider some Of the past
When Francisco Madero was safe
" ensconced in the presidency,
Huerta and his followers murdered
Madero and his brother.
Huerta came next. He became die
tator much after the fashion of Diaz
He anEered Washington by defiance
that brought him nothing.
Despite his official sarcasm. Huerta
might have Won out with the United
States had it not been for the Tam
pico flag incident
Columbus Raid
CarTanza and Villa were marching
upon Mexico City when the incident
occurred They were hundreds Of
miles away however Americans
4@l4ueH Of ttd rue ana q SElrf1Sn
resulted. This was signal for Car
rama and Villa TO get busy and they
attacked Huer+istas wherever they
found them
They drove them southwark and
killed any chance Fuerta ever hao
OF winning recognition.
About the time former President
Wilson recognized Carranza. Pancho
Villa staged the raid at CclumlAs,
\. NJ. He wanted to show the Ameri.
can executive Re had made a mistake.
Carranza couldn't stop border raids,
Villa said.
Cost [. s. $3.50, 900. 900
And In that raid in 1915, seventeen
American soldiers were killed. anu
Pershings pursuit Of the Vfllistas
cost our Government $3.50. o00, 900. But
It did more, It shook faith in Car
rama
All America wants 10 be assured IS
that Mexico will protect the interests
Of Americans
ObreEon is in favor of a fifty-mile
prohibition zone south of the Rio
Grande, following such recognition.
Americans along the trouble stretch
are hoping for the best But they're
keeping their powder dry and an eye
peeled toward the boundary line in
watchful expectation.
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