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 Carrancista military post at Casas Grandes, and no effort was made to stop ~him by the officers and garrison of the de facto government stationed there.

American forces pursued the lawless bandits as far as Parral where the pursuit was halted by the hostility of Mexicans presumed to be loyal to the de facto government, who arrayed themselves on the side of outlawry and became in effect the protectors of Villa and his band.

I am reluctant to be forced to the conclusion which might be drawn from these circumstances that the de facto government, in spite of the crimes committed and the sinister designs of Villa and his followers, did not and do not now intend or desire that these outlaws should be captured, destroyed, or dispersed by American troops, or at the request of this Government, by Mexican troops.

Candour compels me to add that the unconcealed hostility of the subordinate military commanders of the de facto government toward the American troops engaged in pursuing the Villa bandits and the efforts of the de facto government to compel their withdrawal from Mexican territory by threats and show of military force, instead of by aiding in the capture of the outlaws, constitute a menace to the safety of American troops and to the peace of the border.

In view of this increased menace, of the inactivity of the Carranza forces, of the lack of co-operation in the apprehension of the Villa bandits and of the known encouragement and aid given to bandit leaders, it is unreasonable to expect the United States to withdraw its forces from Mexican territory or to prevent their entry again when their presence is the only check upon further bandit