The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-09-13
THE WARNING TO c.AMp.A.

That the text of the warning to the
rebel General Campo is given full
publicity and prominence. while the
warning sent to President Madero
the same day comes in for mere men,
ti1l only. strongly suggests that our
government would wish to localize
the new crisis in Mexico. General
Campa's band of insurrectos in oper-
ating in the Cananea district, where
American investments are greater
than at any other point in Mexican
territory. That Campa's authority ex-
tends beyond the bounds of that dis
trict does not appear. He is respon-
sible for the acts of his immediate
command. hut not for the other row
ing bands that infest the northern dis
tricti and menace the American side.
The situation. therefore. does not
differ materially from that which pre-
vailed in Chihuahua at the time
warning was sent to General Orozco.
and to President Nadero also, that
the orme would be held accountable
fcr any outrages on Americans at the
hands of his men. Assurances of bet
ter protection for Americans were
given by both federal and rebel chiefs,
but not lived up to. The molestation
of Americans continued. but nc steps
were taken to make good our threat
to cross the border. Americans in the
Cananea district at the time refused
to flee from peril when advised to do
so by h Washington authorities,
who held that no direct assistance
could be rendered. Conditions then
existing were declared to be intoler-
able. and if they are any more poig-
nant today it must be owing to their
persistence or to the fact thai the sit
uation in the Cananea district has
grown more acute. But if so-if II
be true that intervention be more ur-
gent than at n time in the past-it
appears also that our government re-
ally has become more circumspect.
Until now the right Of the presi-
dent to order troops to cross the
boundary, thus precipitating a state OF
war between the two nations, has no,
been questioned. Asking authority
from congress between sessions was
not discussed seriously. It was gen.
orally agreed that it would be folly
In case of an emergency. to wait up.
on congress to assemble and thrash
out the question of val in all its as.
poets before anything could be done
Additionally. powerful diplomatic re.
sons are advanced in official quarters
why var with Mexico should be avoid.
ed at this time. 1t would take two
years time and involve heavy sacri.
fees of lives and treasure to subdue
Mexico; but. worst Of all, We would
forfeit the last shred Of the good
opinion Of Latin America. Naturally
the people would demand annexation
of Mexico in payment of the cost OF
conquest. but that would only inten.
sify the feeling of distrust as to GU,
appetite for territory. Why should
we take what is going on in Mexico
more to heart. the question is asked
than the Mexicans themselves, II We
h.ve no Interior motives? Is Mexico
so woefully ravaged and barbarized
as we max out, despite the fact tina,
our trade with her has increased since
the revolution broke out? Weighing
these deterrent factors in the scales
Of probability, it would seem that
they overbalance the snowy but rath.
er un~substantial diplomatic represen.
tations and military maneuverings in
cident to the American scare in Can.
anea. II 1t be not meant for Mexi-
can consumption. rather than for GU,
own benefit, then the best signs fail