Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-11-09
The Mexican Situation.

A double share of the pTOverbial uneasi-
ness that belongs To rulers may reasonably
be assigned TO General DiaZ. The revolu-
tionary people who, firing OF peace, expelled
the prudent Lerdo in his favor, Will expel
him likewise in spite Of his energy, courage
and generaiship whenever at the proper time
a suitable candidate for his position shall
present himself In this condition of affairs
he can hardly regard with complacency his
present status, and is perhaps inclined to
believe that the Mexican presidency is like
the Office of Turkish Pasha, which was de-
scrfbed by Marrystt as a position which ele-
waited a head above those of the mass in
order that il might be more easily severed
from the body. The action of General Diaz
nat occasions him the most annoyance is
probably his deed Of good neighborship in
returning to the United States the Rio Grande
criminals. He is accused by his opponents
of sacrificing his own honor and dignity
and that OF his country for the sake
OF obtaining recognition from our gov
eminent; and as the Mexican press, with
the crossing of the Rio Grande by American
forces, as a text, has inflamed the people to
a red heat against the United States, the
charge tells against him. Then he has the
annoyance of a divided and jealous cabinet,
some Of whose members are offensive to
many of his own supporters. If the transla-
tlODs Oh dIItlce lIOiu heAfCdu papers DJ The
WOrld correspondent may be taken as the rep
resentative of popular feeling, the Mexicans
are ripe for war with the United States. II
seems likely that most of them, misled by
their newspapers, which they are said to i'm
plic1tly believe, abSurdly underrate the
power Ofthis country and believe themselves
able to teach us ''the difference between 1917
and 1S5I" with their population of less than
ten million, their territory only two or three
times as large as Texas, and their insignia
cant army which has failed to Withstand
United States troops even when the advant-
age of numbers was on the side OF Mexico.
Viewing matters from their standpoint, the
invasion o. Mexican soil gives them just
ground for anger: but their excitement leads
Them 10 estimates of their military prowess
which are ridiculous in the extreme. This
outbuTst OF popular feeling If opposed by
Diaz will in all likelihood force him from
power If not opposed, II may, by causing
collisions on the Rio Grande, bring on war
with the United States, a result which will,
10 an equal degree, be dangerous to the sta
biliiy of his position.
The policy OF the United States in its nego-
tiations with Mexico is undoubtedly To ob-
tain an extradition treaty by which fugitives
from justice shall be givea up by both gov
ernments, without regard to the nationality
of the criminals; and perhaps, also, that
military patrols of both countries shall be
stationed within specified distance of the
common boundary for the purpose OF exer-
cising police authority. Ii these desirable
ends can be gained by diplomacy, it will be
well for both countries; but neither their OBJ
tainment, nor the checking OF border out
RACES, in which both parties are to blame,
should be made pretext on our part for war
with nation which, in spite OF its foolish
boastings, is almost defenseless before us.