The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-08-11
EDITORIAL COMMENT
The Presidents Mexican Policy,

The Presidents Mexican Policy.
New York Post: President Wilson
has not yet made public the course
which he intends to pursue with re-
spect to Mexico. But the main feat
ures of his policy lie on the surface Of
his decision to dismiss Ambassador
Wilson, and to send Ex-Governor Lind
to Mexico City, not at present as am
bassador, but as the presidents per-
sonal representative and agent. These
two steps plainly imply that the
| Washington administration has put
away all suggestion Of armed inter-
vention. Nor would President Wilson
countenance the plan Of recognizing
Huerta, and giving him moral If not
material aid in putting down the re-
bellion. Whatever the precise meas
ures he proposes, we are now assured
that they will have a friendly and
peaceful intent stamped upon them.
This is a great point gained, whether
they prove completely successful Or
not. The lingo dream of a picnic
march by our army to the capital Of
Mexico, restoring order and establish
ing justice by magic, is not for a presi-
dent who needs must fix his eyes upon
realities and do his utmost to avoid
war.
It is not necessary to dwell upon the
retirement Of Ambassador Wilson. That
became inevitable long since. If ny
thing were needed to complete the
demonstration of his unfitness for a
delicate work Of diplomacy, it would
have been supplied by his gross in
discretions since returning to his
country. No one denies that he was
laborious and energetic while in Mex
leo, Or that he did everything within
his power to safeguard American
citizens there during the ]troublous
times of his service. He evidently
earned the goodwill of the American
colony IN Mexico. But this did not
warrant him in setting himself up as
the Sir Oracle on Mexican affairs; did
not Justify hin In seeking to force his
opinion on Jul government; certainly
did not excuse him for his foolish and
offensive talk on arriving in New York.
If he got a cool reception at the White
House. followed by yesterdays curt
announcement that his resignation
had been accepted, the fault was his
own. The time had plainly come for
a new man and new methods.
Mr.. Lind. it must be confessed, does
not appear to have special qualifica-
tons for the task on which the presi-
dent has sent him. He has no COM
mand of Spanish, but this is not a
very serious handicap in dealing with
Mexican officials, many Of whom speak
English. 1t is admitted, too, that ex-
Governor Lind has had no occasion
to study Mexican questions. But he
goes with the reputation Of a nan
honest n clean-cut, and it Is only
fair to remember that, at least in the
beginning, all that he will have to do
will be to carry out President Wilson's
instructions. AS it Is stated that these
will be published here at the same
time they are made known in Mexico,
the net result will be that the whole
world will be advised Of the proposals
that Mr.. Lind is making. That should
simplify his mission, even If it does
not make 1t easy. go
If the administrators policy with
regard to Mexico has moved forward
with deliberation it is because the
problem is one which cannot be solved
by rule-of-thumb methods adapted to
the situation rs it changes from day
to day across the border. There is,
for instance, n report which speaks
of a strengthening of the anti-Huerta
feeling in certain quarters at Washing
ton because American interests in the
territory controlled by the Mexican
revolutionists are fully as important
as those sections which submit to HUI
erta's authority, and consequently the
recognition of the latter would stir
lIlG IGROlullOLllSIS 10 C6l6lldIlOn upon
American lives and property. Such a
foolish balancing of interests against
interests can serve as the basis
Of u future relations with Mexico.
President Wilson, in common with all
thinking men, is aware that condi-
tons in Mexico have shaped to a crisis
where temporary appeasement is an
object not to be striven for. Any set
Element now to be sought should be
lasting and thorough.
1t is undeniably a thorny situation
with which President Wilson has to
grapple, but not n absolutely hope
less. The Huerta regime cannot last
long In any event. If nothing else hap
pens, 1t must be starved out before
many weeks nave passed. The Mexi-
can loan Is dead on the European
markets. At home the government
revenues are falling off alarmingly. A
tacit kind Of financial intervention
would presently lead to Huerta's step
ping aside, if no other solution offered
But he has already declared that he
has no intention of remaining as Mex
lean president beyond the election ir
October, when he will not be ever 6
candidate. 1t Is doubtless in this con-
junction that President Wilson sees
hope of making acceptable proposals
Of mediation. If steps could be taker
to secure a free and honest presidential
election, and if all factions could BIZ
induced to agree to suspend hostilitieE
and to abide by the will Of the voters
as expressed at the polls, another era
Of peace for Mexico might dawn.