18 MARCH 1916, Page 3

The American Government have decided to send an expedition against

their former protégé, Villa, the Mexican leader, who has lately raided American border towns, looting and murdering. We fear that the United States is in for something bigger than she will like, yet we do not see how the policy pursued towards Mexico could have ended otherwise. The Washington corre- spondent of the Times says that the country where Villa is believed to have taken refuge in Western Chihuahua and Eastern Sonora is extremely difficult. It is a jumble of barren mountains and sterile valleys and plains. Moreover, Villa, who has been in the field for a long time, is no mean guerrilla leader. It may be that President Carranza, in return for having been recognized by the United States, will really try to help the American expeditionary force. On the other hand, he may later make common cause with all the revolutionaries against the invaders.