THE MEXICAN SQUABBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1916, Page 3

THE MEXICAN SQUABBLE.

VILLA'S RAID OX FRONTIER. RAID PLANNED MONTHS ALIO. Sail Francisco, March 14. Although the American newspapers—and especially those of the sensational jingo type—devote pages to the Mexican trouble, almost to the exclusion of the titanic struggle in Europe, the residents of the United States refuse to become excited to any appreciable extent. The man in the street has become so accustomed to the continuous squab- | Ming in Mexico that something catavlysmie will have to occur before he is aroused. Admittedly, the situation is worse than would appear on the surface, for at first it was thought 7500 American troops would suffice for the punitive expedition from Columbus, the scene of the murders on the New Mexican border. Xow (March 14} a Washington despatch proclaims that an army of 500,000 soldiers would be necessary to settle the Mexican trouble once and for all. There is no doubt that Villa has been at white heat over the. Carranza recognition by the United States Government, and has shouted vengeance in no uncertain tone. Senator Albert B. Fall, of New Mexico, whilst in Washington on March 13, furnished a statement, signed by an American physician, who less than four months ago was one of four Americans condemned to death by Villa. The statement reveals that Villa's attack on Columbus was but a part of a plan to exterminate Americans wherever they met. In October last year the surgeon decided to equip a field red cross outfit, and go into the VilHstra ranks. He tells of the journey and his meeting with Villa. I We are escorted into a close knot of about 30 men, stopping under the branches of a little mesquite tree. Villa, j in a semi-recumbent postures on a blanket thrown against a saddle, extends his hand and invites us to have a seat. He regrets that there is nothing other {ban grass to sit upon. He asks if we belong to the American Red Cross Society. [ explain that we are not. AX OMINOUS HUSH. Someone bustles into Villa's presence. Villa greets him with, "How are you. my general? I see little of you. I frequently enquire about you They always tell me that you are here, yonder, everywhere, fighting. What is new?" The general addresses Villa with "My chief, it is useless to continue the attack. I have just left one of Calles' Yaquis back there in the arroyo. It h true that Wilson has recognised Carranza, and that 3500 Carrazaistas have arrived through the States in Agua Prieta." For a moment there is an ominous hush. I feel mj face go scarlet. VILLA GROWS WRATHY. ' Villa begins in an even, moderate tone, gathering warmth as he proceeds.' His eyes are dancing. There is the ghost of a smile, with a shade of sarcasm. He points a grimy finger at us, "Search these vermin," he orders. Br. M , not quite comprehending the situation, arises, bustles around a bit, and suggests that we take our departure. Villa is acting like a cat playing with a mouse. He looks at me with just a momentary suggestion of a twinkle in his eyes, and says, "I guess yon might as well tell him." During Villa's tirade, turning his head so as to direct his remarks to the men about him, he said: "Hereafter, when you meet a Chinaman, respect him; when you meet a Japanese, respect him; respect burros, but wherever and whenever you encounter a gring, him." On several occasions we "Were asked when President Wilson's term of office would expire.

ORDERS THEM TO BE SHOT. Some one re-opens the conversation regarding the bringing of 3500 Carranzaistas through the United States. Villa goes into a rage. He splutters vituperative language and orders us to he taken to an arroyo and shot immediately. About 20 men quickly grab us, several hands going into my various pockets. They leave my pockets empty. About 12 men with rifles form a line ofiHo my life. There seems to be considerable contention for places in the firing squad. Over the heads of the men searching me I asked General Villa if he will not permit us to make an explanation. "If you open your mouth again I will shoot you myself," he replied. The prisoners were spared through the good offices of a Villa general. VILLA jrfAIDS TRAIN OF AMERICANS. A message to San Francisco from Chihuahua City (Mexico) on March 13 said: General Urbejelo. commanding part of the Villa forces, attacked a train en route from the city to Torreon, near the Congo station according to advices received here. The station was dynamited. The train carried a strong guard, and the bandits were driven off after suffering severe losses. Several passengers ivere reported killed or wounded. Ten Americans aboard the train are believed to have escaped. The time of the attack is not given. CARRA>JZA MEN INACTIVE. "The train was attacked just as it Btopped for water at Cuncjos, coming north, from Torreon," said Albert Taylor, a mine-owner in western Chihuahua. "There was a guard of sixty Carranza troops, under three officers, aboard the train. The attacking force of Villaistas numbered about 30. When the first shots were fired, the train crew started to move. The Villaistas followed along the right of way, firing at the engineer and fireman and trying to make thom top, but they ducked out of sight and let the train run wild. Soon our increased speed left the raiders behind. Then the Carranzaistas came up from behind their seats, fired a few shots back in the direction of the raiders and began to talk. GRINGOES ARE BLAMED. " 'lf you gringoe3 hadn't been aboard this train there wouldn't have been any trouble,' one officer told me. 'We ought to take you all out and hang you. I guess we will before we get to the border at that.' "Then he walked away, and the six of us, with four other Americans whose names I do wit know, got together in the last car of the train and prepared to

defend ourselves if the Carranzaistas made an effort to carry out the threat. There was no further trouble, and in Juarez we felt safe." AMERICAN MILITARY BUILDING BURNED. Mexican sympathisers are blamed for a fire of unknown origin at the /V:ifornian military headquarters at Monterey, where large bodies of American troops have been stationed. Just before some battalions of soldiers were leaving for the Mexican frontier the. headquarters building became enveloped in lire, and exploded with a deafening roar. Quantities of ammunition stored there were destroyed ,nnd there were rumors of bombs. The soldiers heroically removed larger supplies of explosives' from the vicinity of the blaze, which destroyed the headquarters building and effected damage exceeding 4000 dollars. The United States military are displaying much eagerness for the fray, and "are itching for a fight. ' Opinion is that a protracted guerilla war will ensue.