New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-16
PLAN FACTS ALONG THE BORDER.

PLAIN FACTS ALONG THE BORDER.
The incident at Douglas and Aqua
Prieta suggests some plain facts con
corning the Mexican situation. so far s
the United States is concerned The
general situation in the neighboring re-
public is still somewhat involved and
obscure. 1t is difficult TO understand.
for example. why the government OF
nation of fifteen millions or more can
not or does not send a sufficient mill
tary force to suppress an instruction
which appears To consist Of only few
thousand men, unless ii be that there
is so widespread disaffection toward
the government. II not actual sympathy
with the rebels, rs 10 make it either inn
possible TO provide a trustworthy force
or impr7ldent to send 1t so far from the
national capital. That and other ques-
lions are. however, domestic and peril
nent 10 Mexico alone. We are con
cerned with the bearings Of the insur-
rection upon our interests, and these are
not uncertain or obscure.
1t is clear. for one thing, that Presi-
dent Taft acted with the most timely
prudence and wisdom in sending a con
siderable military force TO within easy
reach of the border, both for possible
use in case of general debdcle in
Mexico and also for much more probable
use on our own side of the line, in sup
pressing filibusteIing and in dealing
with both Mexican federals and rebels
who may trespass across the line,
either in person or with glinfire. We
believe that already in these last two
ways the necessity OF our troops pres
ence has been abundantly demonstrated.
! 1t is also clear that "A systematic at
tempt is being made by the rebels TO
force the fighting as close to the border
rs possible, in order 10 accomplish their
openly proclaimed purpose of involving
this country in some way In the en-
| brOilment: and this fact should suggest
with equal cearness the deSirability
and the patriotic duty of thwarting that
design. We have already pointed out
the turpitude of which Americans are
! guilty who enter the conflict; and to
that we may now add reminder of the
/ folly of those who in either morbid curl
oSity or bravado wantonly expose them
selves 10 injury along the border line.
Americans have a right 10 pursue their
legitimate vocations near the border,
and are entitled to protection In so do
| ing: but they have no moral right to
7 i, n. l..,sl
which may be In progress just on the
other side The Presidents exhortation
/ 10 them to keep away as far as possible
from the scene of fighting is wise and
should be obeyed.
1t is also clear that there is abundant
justification for the warning which our
government is giving TO Mexico and to
the Mexican rebels TO confine the fight
| ing to the Mexican side Of the line
This country is quite willing and desir-
Gus that Mexico shall settle her own
domestic troubles without Intervention
or meddling Of any kind. just as we in
sisted upon settling our own fifty years
Iago. But il cannot acQuiesce in the ere
alton and indefinite maintenance Of a
public nuisance on its border, which I'M
favOrably affects considerable part OF
its own territory and population. There
is no occasion for getting excited over
the case or for making extreme utter
ances. Patience and fOrbearance and
moderation are eminently desirable in
our attitude toward the matter. But
those qualities are not at all incompati
bic with vigilance and resolution. The
former qualities are to be commended
particularly to the public and the press
The latter we may safely trust the gov.
eminent at Washington to exercise.