The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-06-03
THE DUrY OF MExIco.
PaclncatOn OF Guatemala Declared to ne
Within Her sphere.

To THE EDITOR or THE SUN-Sir; Daring
the long, tedious years that elapsed between
the shooting OF several members OF the VIZ.
ginius expedition at Santiago de Ciha
and the blowing up OF the Maine AT me
port OF Havana. which preclpitated a c,r
hict that was looming up on the horizon
ever since the SpAnlaTds challenged the ~.
sumed right Of Americans to take more In.
terest In Cuban affairs than II was conceded
to most foreigners at the timc the former held
sway In the Pearl Of the Antilles, it was tina
fashion In America to dwell on the God
given right to intervene in what they called
then and still call their sphere OF influence
More than once In American newspapers Wa
came across long and exhaustive arguments
Intended to show that 1t was perfectly proper
for the United States to NEEDLE in the din.
culties Of the Cubans with their old mother
country because geographically the island
belonged to the great republic OF the North
and therefore 1t was within its sphere Of
action. Prominent American statesmen in
order TO emphaslZe those sentiments went 40
far as to advance the theory that when tho
house OF an impotent nelghbor was on fra
1t was the duty Of the one threatened with
the sparks to put out by himself the menacing
c~onfagration.
That was then the old line Of argument
which carried the greatest weight with tho
AttAAS AiSoh puDAAS nav NV " " WIG W CD VI Nlt
world Justified the waging Of a war against
Spain which brought about untold results
for the winner and the defeated. And nov,
when our country. Mexico. sees Itself bur.
dened with h Kipling calls the white
mans burden" In it's dealings with a stubborn
neighbor whose government Is universally
reckoned as a source Of mischief and a menace
TO the peace Of Central America. some OF the
ne newspapers Of the United States laugh at the
tdaa That n,aNapnala ahOuld ha wIthIA 49,.
sphere Of influence" and refer derisively 10
our main argument.
What Is sauce for the goose is sauce for
the gander," and the more so II the gsnder
halls from the same yard as his mate OF the
opposite sex. What was true IN the case Of
the United States toward Cuba would seem
far more convincing considering Mexico In
her dealings with Guatemala. We must
bear in mind that the latter country ia In
many senses e continuation OF the republic
OF Mexico. and that the historic ties OF race
and language would make more natural and
logical the rumored annexation OF Guatemala
to Mexico than that OF some OF the West
Indian islands to the United States.
We beg to call attention 10 the incon.
sistency Of our critics just 20 show their weak.
ness and forRetfulness, and not with any
desire to advocate a war Of conquest in Cen.
trail America. which we know is as far removed
iroun tho uiteTlor purpose u our Wise ana
patriotic Government as II is from the Gar
OF Russia TO dispense justice TO his down
trodden subjects. In her controversy with
Guatemala Mexico is bound at all hazards
10 set Alright all wrongs inflicted by imported
conspirators on foreigners living in her vast
domains. TO have her laws respected and 70
compel the unreasonable and quarrelsoms
Government of that State OF Central America,
with which she is now at odds, to gauge the
real potentlslity OF our country as a power
for good on the American continent. Dreams
OF conquest do not enter into the calculations
of President Disz, our beloved ruler.
FELIPE G. CANTON r.
NEW YORK. June /.