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Show H ONLY A FOOT RACE! H JnVRlOPM UMTS in Mexico thus far since the H -- punitive expedition crossed the border seems to H indicate that the U. S. soldier boys were not so much H in need of fighting equipment as they' were of "seven H league boots." So far, according to late accounts, H none of them have been shot by Villa and his fellow H frec-bootcrs, but they have suffered frightfully from H blistered- feet in the race to come up with the elusive H i WM The flying machines taken down there arc appar- W cutty about the most essential part of the equipment, H and if each soldier was provided with one and knew H how to manipulate it, there might be a chance nf over- H taking the marauders. M All the while the chase is taking the American H column farther into Mexican territory, and unless M there are generous rcinforceiu'crits'an act of treachery ' on the part of the Mexican people may seriously em- H barrass and probably prove quite disastrous to the H United States forces. M It seems apparent that we can expect no important B aid from the Carranza government, which is seemingly m making a pretense at good faith, without seriously M interfering with Villa and his followers. When the H 'forces met, a way of escape for Villa was speedily H made by the Carranza army, and it would surprise no B one if a large portion of his army were to join the M Villa recruits at any time. H The question of transportation of supplies for a B distance of over 300 miles, and the keeping of this route open for auto trucks and other (ravel is becom- L ing more and more of a problem all the while, and if HF; the Mexican government 'does not voluntarily permit ji the use of theNorthewesterh railroad for this pur- m ' pose, it appears to us that' our government will be fully B ' justified in taking forcible, possession of it. If we must P- assume the task of putting dow'n the) insurrection in H Mexico and restoring the country to a state of peace, H certainly we should be tendered the use of such con- HH veniences as the country affords for doing so. The H refusal of the defacto government in Mexico to ex- m tend these privileges shows bad faith on their part, m and a disposition to shield the outlaw, which leads one H. to believe that while expressing regretjj over raids on H I American settlements on this side of the border, and ; the wholesale slaughter of our citizens caught in Mex- M ico, the Carranza clement are secretly rejoicing over the loss inflicted upon the hated Gringoes. H American troops arc in Mexico for the purpose of H !t punishing Villa and his lawless band for their murder Ji of American citizens, and whatever the complications B that may arise, wc arc not likely to withdraw from m that country until the object of the campaign is accom- B plished. It may require a considerably larger force H than the one now employed, and it would not be a bad 1 idea to issue a call for volunteers, and have an ample H supply of soldiers in training for the campaign, if they 1 should be needed.' m When this expedition is overawe predict that at m least some of the Mexican people will have a greater 1 degree of respect- for the Gringoes across the line M than they have had for a number of years, whether H their love for us is increased or not. H Wc arc performing a duty in Mexico that should B have been undertaken long ago. |