New-York tribune., 1913-11-30
Nv DIR. Leslie J. Tompkins.

Professor of Law, New York University.
few days ago. l overheard two men
~ discussing the Mexican situation
( u and the substance Of their remarks
found expression in questions ike these
Why should the United States invite war
with Mexico solely for the sake Of estap-
fishing a stable government among a
people who evidently do not want II, ana
who in general are unworthy OF our con-
alteration? Who suggested that the
Americans now in Mexico 90 there ana
establish themselves in business? They
went there of their own accord, well
knowing the Latin temperament why
should we expose the lives of thousands
of our men and expend millions of dollars
simply TO protect few Americans IN
their desire TO live in Mexico and TO
make secure a few millions Of American
dollars which are there invested?
There is undoubtedly no great popular
feeling among our people in regard TO
Mexico: or If there be, it is that Mexico
is fast making a nuisance of itself ana
we wish it might end. This idea opens
up an analogy We tolerate neighoor-
hood nuisance for a time, but II con-
tinued for any period of time il soon de-
mands action on our part. Nations are
like neighboTs. only more patient, ana
sooner or later a neighboring nation may
become so much OF a nuisance as to de-
mand strenuous measures if we would
secure peace and order for ourselves.
pEVOLVES UPON UNITED STATES
Mexico is in state OF anarchy DIS
order is rife ana ruin stares her IN the
face. The present Huerta governments
seems powerless TO suppress the reVois
that are springing UP all over the re-
public. Foreign citizens who were III
yited TO come in and foreign capItSl
which was welcomed as an aid to MeNI-
co.'s industrial development are III dahsSI'
and the nations of the world are de-
manding that internal strife shall cease
The question now is: What nation SHAH
take up the burden and bring order out
of chaos-the United States or SOME
other foreign power? From every stand
point, geogra phic. economic and politicai'
the United States occupies the cominand-
ing position, and if this burden must De
assumed we must do It,
In dealing with the question one or Two
matters must be kept in mind. Neither
the United States nor any other nation
aims at the possession of any portion Oh
Mexico The disorder in Mexico cannot
he dignifed by the name OF civil war
and there are few principles OF interna-
tional law which can be applied 10 the
situation. Civil war exists when TWO op-
posing parties within state or nauoh
have recourse to arms for the purpose
of obtaining power in the state, or wheh
q large fraction of the population OF
state rises in arms against the leSlu-
mate government" (Oppenheim). If we
are to believe what We read OF conditions
now existing in Mexico, there are several
opposing parties within the state all Oh
whom are fighting to their own ends, ana
while a large portion of the populauOh
has risen in arms, there is, so far as we
are concerned. no legitimate government
Were either side, or both, of the conteho-
ing parties (assuming only two TO eXisO
to be recognized by foreign governments
then the trouble would rise to the olG-
nifty of civil war. and the rules of in
ternational law in time of war would
apply.
THE RIGHT OF INDEPENDENCE.
The most important rule of interna-
tional law in times of peace is known as
the right of independence" This is
nothing more than that each state or
nation shall have the right TO manage its
own affairs without interference from
others. This principle. which forbids in
fI,ar