The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-10
MEXICO COULD NOT
AFFORD TO FIGHT
Would Lose Too Much Prestige
in Open War With People Of
Guatemala.
NOT ANXIOUS FOR 1T, EITHER
Combination OF Influences Render
It Almost Certain There Will
Be No Armed Contest.
~ WA1,TI,n EDWAKD HARRIS.

NY WALTER EDWARD HARRIS.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. May s.-The
possibility of The Hague peace con-
ference being opened with u war be-
tween Mexico and Guatemala Is by no
means remote. although war Is not
so Imminent now as it WIS less than
a week ago. While diplomatic neGo-
.tiatlons have been suspended between
the two countries. negotiations looking
to peaceful solution Of the differ
ences will be undertaken, it Is under
stood. and it is probable that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will be c1tied on to
nrbitrate the quarrel.
a State Department official said to-
day that ts matters now stand, Mexico
could hardly afford to fight without a
loss OF prestige, she has been prac-
ticing and counseling peace for so
long under the administration Of Por-
hrio Dlaz, only recently having united
with the United States to bring Mica
rdgua and Honduras to peaceable
solution Of their troubles with eacn
other. The action of Mexico III Joining
with the United States In efforts to
promote peace between two sister re-
publics was significant OF the rapid
advancement of Mexico in the past
few years.
But Mexico does not want foreign
war. Porfirio Diaz does not want to
become imbroiled abroad. even with
such e. little country as Guatemala.
The state of Mexico, under his strong
rule, is the subject Of universal COM
,nent among the nations. Twenty. or
even ten, years ago conditions N that
republic were about as those which
exist in the average Spanish-speak-
Ing country OF Central and South
America. Diaz has brought order out
| of chaos.
He has put the country on sound f.
nancial basis, and law and order
| reign throughout the republic. He
had to fight rebels for a time. but a
| revolution in Mexico has not been heard
OF for years. and the last attempts were
only farcical so strong had the govern.
ment become.
No National Pride.
| But a foreign war Is another matter
There Is little or no national pride II
Mexico as Americans understand tina,
| term. Diaz knows this. Americans re-
call how when the war with Spain came
the people of every section of the coun.
try forgot sectional jcalousies an6
sprung to the defense Of the flag in fal
greater numbers than could be used. A
foreign war healed past differences as
nothing else had done or could have
done.
Conditions are very different In the re
public Immediately to the south of us
Trouble abroad would be the opportunit!
of indictments at home. Diaz has no
ruled by love. He has shown the mailed
hand every day, and the army has beer
| freely used to quiet murmurers ant
roorbacks. The army OF Mexico is com
posed In large measure OF as precious {
i lot as could be got together. While
there arc trained soldiers and many hon
orable men In the Mexican army, Dia
got rid of the bandits which scourget
the country by making the leaders Off
GERS In the army and allowing the res
to enlist as private soldiers. Those O
the gentlemen of tho road who woul
not accept this opportunity to save thei
skins and their necks were hunted dow
by those who had accepted, with the re
suit that brisandage Is lost art i
Mexico Of to-day. And American sol
diers have often expressed to the write
their admiration Of the army OF Mexico
its organization and especially its per
sonnet.
Would Not Be Serious.