New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-03-09
oI.p ypo0pS on THE BORDER.

OI:R TROOPS on THE BORDER.
The sudden massing of American
troops near the Mexican border Is OK
plicable on one or more of number Oh
grounds. most Of which should he con
ducivc 10 tranquility and confidence
and none Of which should be Sufficleht
10 produce. in this country at least. any
serious agitation or alarm. If it were III
fact a practice manpuvrc, part OF the
war game" pure and simple, II would
serve highly useful purposes. lhcre
have recently been many filings AT our
army as unprcparcd, inefficient and only
nomnally existent. The fest involved
i'm the present movement will disclose
its weaknesses. if they exist, and VIII
demonstrate and promote its actual cf-
ticiency as nothing else could do.
The real state Of affairs in Mexico is
not known 10 the outside world. 1t may
Ge-we sincerely hope not-that the sit
uation is far grayer than has been sup
posed and that the government Is in
serious straits. There is unhappily little
room for doubt that the Mexican troubles
have been largely fomcnted on our side
Of the border and that recruits and
supplies have been drawn from the
United States. Whether Mexico has or
has not made representations on tho sub
icct il will be we'll 20 have that busi-
ness stopped, oven if it needs an army
and a fleet 10 stop it,
~ H. ,,f,
10y other governments or of limitations
that they will intervene in Mexico if we
do not. This is and will probably re-
main unvcrifed az the moment il is cX-
picitly denied No proof is yet sub
mitted that any cause for Intervention
10y anybody exists. And of course all ma
tionS appreciate the difference between
q great nation like Mexico and a petty
and chroniCally turbulent state. How
ever. as thc Monroe Doctrine has been
brought into consideration. it may he
observed that in certain conceivable con
tinGcncies it might he gratifying to have
the world shown by practical object
lesson that the United States is awake
10 all that is going on and is amply pre-
pared 10 deal promptly and cffectually
with any emergency that may arise. We
do not assume that cause for intervention
will arise. But if any intervention or
protection of foreign interests i'm Mexico
should become necessary. it would be
satisfactory 10 have the readiness Of
this country 10 do the work unmStak-
ably demonstrated 10 the world
There is no undue sclishneSS in say
ing that the supreme consideration is our
own security and order 1t is known
that widespread disturbances have for
some time prevailed Just across the bouu-
Diary line, and that they have implicated
our own bordcrland 10 considerable
extent These are legitimate objects of
concern. and may properly require mill
tary attention. Still moro attention and
action might be needed I'm case of
Il dcbdclc. in Mexico. Such an cmer-
gency is not 10 be anticipated But
after all. the purpose Of an army. very
largely is to afford projection against
and preparation for things which are
not expected and 20 avert Things which
arc not desired. If this military demon
stration near the Rio Grandc should pre-
cludc and prevent attacks upon Amcri-
can and other foreign residents in Mex
leo and their property. il might be worth
TO us many times It's pccuniary cost I'm
any case we may rest assured that the
at Washington has the
knowledge. tho ability and the will 70
deal with both present and prospective
phases Of the case with Justice TO our
friends and nCiGhbors and with scrupu-
lous regard for our own interests. peace
and honor.