MEXICAN MUDDLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1551, 16 May 1916, Page 4

MEXICAN MUDDLE.

AMERICA’S TASK,

VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS.

Some particulars concerning the present state of chaos existing in Mexico were given to an Auckland Herald representative last week by Mr K. R. Skipworth, who is at present. on a visit to Auckland after having just returned to the Dominion fronr a business tour of the knifed States extending over six months, during which lime he spent |jve weeks on a visit to various parts of Mexico. The information disclosed by Mr Skipworth is particularly interesting in view of the cablegrams which have been received recently stating (hat all available American- troops have been sent to tin; Mexican border because of the danger of a general uprising.

“The general public have simply no conception of the*, condition of affairs existing' in Unit banditridden country,” said Mr Skipworth, “For instn-ncc, occasional mention is made in'the cablegrams of the doing's of Villa and Garranza, but the existence of other actors in this revolutionary drama has not come tinder notice. General Carranza- has been recognised by the United Slides its president of Mexico. He occupies Mexica City, and is said to command a force established at nearly 200,000, by far the largest armed body in the country. General Villa, with a force a few thousands strong, is entrenched in a large piece of mountainous country in Eastern Mexico, several hundred miles from the American border, lie knows every inch of (he country, and is defying with ease the efforts of the American troops to bring about, his capture. At the time of my visit, Villa and his army were in the vicinity of Chichuachua, 3HO miles from the Texan border, with the American troops in pursuit. The reason why America is devoting the larger part of her army in an effort to capture Villa is owing to that bandit’s expressed intention of bringing about American interveni (ion in the affairs of Mexico, which course only, he belUves, will bring about the salvation of the country, lie has several times crossed the American border and killed troops and civilians for the purpose of bringing down American troops. I myself, on visiting Columbus, saw the evidence of his activity in the dead bodies of 17 American troopers, some, of whom were still lying in the street where they fell. “Now, in addition to the abovementioned forces,” continued Mr Skipworth, “there are three other factors in (he struggle which will be heard of sooner or later. From (he Pacific Coast General Madiero, with a force variously estimated at from 500 to 2,000, has penetrated some distance into the country. Diaz, a son of the late president, is the leader of another body said to be 5,000 strong, formed in Guatemala, the adjoining Stale, and now marching north to participate in the struggle. In (lie north-east centre of Mexico is the cut-throat Zapista, who commands a following of. anything up to 5,000 men. All these elements in the situation will have to be dealt with by America if she wishes to bring order out of: the chaos which has existed for so long. As a matter of fact, America, has more than enough to keep her occupied in endeavouring to mund up’ Villa.” deferring to the future of Mexico, Mr Skipworth said that it was the opinion of all intelligent Americans that the United States would be compelled very shortly to administer the affairs of the country. “'Phis opinion grew during my visit to a loudly expressed desire,” he added, “and it is apparent from cablegrams now coming to hand that the outcry on the part of business men in the States that something be done to bring about a return to peace conditions is having weight with the Government.”