The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-27
THE TOUCHY MEXICANS.

Both of the fighting elements in
Mexico appear to be dreadfully touchy
about the assumptions of intervention
b. the United States. Both sides are
loud mouthed in protesting to believe
that the United States is in an ag,
gressive mood, and wants to aggrandjze
itself at the expcns, Of Mexico by tax
ing Lower California and perhaps some
of the Northern States Of the Diaz gre
public II is little difficult to under
stand the loneliness Of the Mexicans on
this subject To accuse the United
sight of tine main facts, and to hold
in view exclusively the Panama Incl
Il ~. where the United states was prac-
ticaily obliged to support the secession
of Panama from Colombia. or give up
he idea of building the Isthmian canal
II was a case of absolute necessity to
recognize the seeded Republic of Pana.
ma, and even then the United States
consented 10 be held up for ten mil
lion dollars for the privilege of spend
ing half n billion in constructing the
canal and in the preparatory work of
cleansing and sanitation. On the other
h. nd the United States, by its border
demonstration of 1865 and 1866. drove
cost of dollar in money, or the loss
of foot of territory to Mexico. In
our Intervention In Cuba we expressly
disclaimed any desire of aggression,
and we have faithfully adhered to that
disclaimer,
If the United States had desired to
ask anything Of Mexico, it could have
O, tanned Lower California for the ask
ing at almost any time, and certainly
in 1866. The United States could
make use Of Lower California, Mexico
cannot. Under Mexican rule Lower
California is neglected desert. In
the hands of the United States Lower
California would be a great and flour
ishing region. And yet we have never
asked anything of Mexico. So that the
pretended fear Of the Mexican people
of aggression on the part of the United
States is a specter Of their own crea-
tion, and one unworthy Of generous
people. 1T is an evidence of weakness
and helpless timidity for Mexico TO pre-.
tend such an abhorrence Of the United
States, and such dread of encroach-
nent.
A correspondent Of the New York
lott -
have been written by a levelheaded
A-.erican expressing the extreme Mexi-
can view OH this point as follows:
They say the rebels are coming this
way. ] am not in the least afraid that
any harm Will come 10 us personally, but
food might grow scarce and prices go up.
The Express Ca San Antonio ne wspaper)
says that 10000 soldiers are coming to
San Antonio and the border. The talk
OF Intervention makes the Mexicans mad
and excited. | do hope that the United
threaten Intervention. 1t would simply
make things 100 per cent worse, and for
elgn interests suffer for years to come.
and the situation for Americans would be
very much more trying. y Interven-
lion. or even talk of it. hurts us dread
fully. Ask Mr.. --- 10 do all he can to
prevent IT,. Let them fight IT out them
selves. II fight they must.
/ suppose we would hardly be safe II
the United States should Intervene, be-
cause the rebels would be so angry they
would do anything they could agains,
us, and here. in the north they have SYM
pnthizers. II is all a mixed up affair.
Political questions, money interests and
personal ambitions all mixed up
That letter was written, as claimed,
by an American Of long residence in
Mexico ono who understands the Mexi-
can feeling, and undoubtedly sympa-
thizes with it, Apparently nothing
will serve the Mcxicans except to get
up fright about aggression on our
part. There is not one precedent that