Douglas Daily Dispatch

LET THE U. S. ARMY BRING TROOPS TO THE DOUGLAS AREA AT ONCE

There need be no further quibbling. It is time to get additional U. S. troops into camp at Douglas. No time should be lost. The number brought here should be ample to meet any and every emergency.

There are no excuses that will substitute for action. It may have happened that the report of Gen. Frank S. Cocheu already has provided for that end. If so, it is to be commended. But if it has not provided for it, then the sooner that such a report goes forward the better will be the interests of all.

The statement coming from Mexico City Friday night and credited to General Calles makes the need for getting additional troops to this city not only desirable but absolutely necessary if proper protection is to be afforded property and life in this area. General Calles is credited with the belief that the final struggle will be around Agua Prieta. That has been the trend of belief among both the rebel and federal forces in this sector for several days and with that now the proclaimed view of the generalissimo of the federal forces and with Sonora as the chief center of the rebel leaders it is of sufficient weight to make preparations to meet any contingency that the culmination of that prophecy might bring in its trail.

The protest of Governor Phillips that no troops engaged in the contest below the international boundary be brought over Arizona soil to be put into battle has been ignored. There will not be anything of friendship for Arizonans gained through the transporting of the federal troops from El Paso even under the pretext that they are no longer troops, for whatever else may be said and without considering the merits of the controversy that has caused the strife, the major portion of the residents immediately adjoining the Arizona border belong with the rebel forces or are with them in sympathy.

There is a vast property interest in Douglas to be protected as well as the lives of the citizens. Naturally and necessarily the protection of life is the prime need but along with that there must be adequate protection for the property here that furnishes the sustenance in the payrolls for the citizens. The smelters are vulnerable points. Half as much bombing north of the line as has happened at Naco might easily wipe out 80 per cent of the industry of Douglas. Because of that fact, it is imperative that not only an adequate number of troops be brought here promptly but that there also be brought here an adequate fleet of airplanes that can guard against the indiscriminate bombing, such as has been happening at Naco.

Douglas does not want a condition created that will require messages of warning to be borne to the contending forces after disaster has been caused. She wants