MEXICAN MUDDLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1916, Page 6

MEXICAN MUDDLE.

AMERICA'S TASK. ' VISITOR'S IMPRESSIONS. . Some particulars concerning the present state of cjiaos existing in Mexico were given to a New Zealand Herald representative last week by Mr. E. R. Skipworth, who is at present on a visit to Auckland after having just returned t;. the Dominion from a business tour ot the United States extending over six months, during which time he spent five weeks on a visit to various parts of Mexico. The information disclosed by Mr. Skip-worth is particularly interesting in view of the cablegram recently published, stating that all available American troops had been sent to the Mexican border because of the danger of a geneval uprising.

"Tlie general public have simply no conception of the condition of affairs existing in that bandit-ridden country," said Mr. SHipworth. "For instance, occasional mention is made in the cablegrams of the doings of Villa ipd Carranza, but the existence of other actors in this revolutionary drama has not come under notice. General Carranza has been recognised by the United States as President of Mexico. He occupied Mexico City, and is said to command a force estimated 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 niountainous country in Eastern Mexico, several hundred miles from the American border. lie knows every inch of the country, and is defying with ease the efforts of the American troops to bring about his capture. At the time of my visit, A ? illa and his army were in the vicinity of Chiehuachiin, '3SO 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 intervention in the affairs of Mexico, which course only, he Relieves, will bring about the salvation of the country. He 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 »f 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 above-men-tioned forces," continued Mr. Skipworth, "there are tliree other factors in the struggle which will be heard of sooner or later. From the Pacific Coast General Madicro, witli a force variously estimated at from 500 to 2000, has penetrated some distance in to the country, Diaz, a son of the late president, is the leader of another body, said to he 5000 strong, formed in Guatemala, the adjoining State, and now marching north to participate in the struggle. In the north-cast centre of Mexico is the cutthroat Zapista. who commands a following of anything up to 5000 men. All these elements in the situation wilfhnve 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 endeavoring to 'round up' Villa." Referring 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. "This opinion grew during my visit to a loudly expressed desire," lie 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."