The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1913-02-23
Mediation. Not Intervention.


Mediation, Not Intervention.
From the New York World is Of
fered the suggestion Of mediation
and not Intervention in Mexico by
the United States. The offer of me-
diation could be accepted in
friendly spirit, while Intervention
would precipitate warfare that
would become bushwhacking.
However, it follows logically that
if mediation be declined and it be
impossible for the Mexican govern
ment to protect the lives and the
property of American citizens and
of foreigners, it will then become
the duty of the United States to in
tervene. In outlining the duty of
the United States government to-
wards Mexico. the World says:
1.-The President could send to the
City of Mexico a diplomatic COM
mission headed, let us say, by Elihu
Root, former Secretary of State.
This commission could call the lead
ers of the government and the lead
er of the various rebellions into q
conference and make them under
stand that a continuation of their
present policy means suicide Of
Mexico as an independent nation
Such a commission. we believe,
could bring these leaders to their
senses.
1T could show them that the
Monroe Doctrine places the United
States under heavy responsibilities.
1T could show them that mas
much as foreign Intervention could
not for an instant be tolerated in a
country that lies between the Unit
ed States boundary and the Panama
canal. the United States is ,respon-
sible to foreign nations for Mexico's
conduct.
1T could show them that domes-
tic anarchy is not merely local af.-
fair but a matter of grave concern
to this country, which is obliged to
protect Mexico from foreign inva-
sion.
1T could show them that while
the American people would be very
reluctant to interfere, they have .
right to demand that the people Of
Mexico maintain some form of sta
Bile government under which life
and property are reasonably safe.
1T could show them that if the
United States should be compelled
to intervene it would remain IN
Mexico until the American people
believed that the Mexicans were fit
for self-government, and that time
might never arrive.
1T could show them that if by
their own conduct they bring about
American occupation, that occupa-
ii will be complete and is danger
ously likely to be permanent, what
ever the cost.
This not only can be shown them
but it should be shown them. No
intelligent and disinterested Amerl-
can wants a war with Mexico or
wants Intervention. For itself, the
World believes that American con-
quest would be a greater calamity
to the United States than to Mexico.
It would mean immense expendi-
lures of money 1t would give us an
other Philippine problem on our
southern border. Worst of all, it
would divert the public mind from
all these tremendous questions of
economic and political reform at
home. 1t would be a heritage Of evil
for the next generation.
but we fear there is no doubt,
either, that if this anarchy in Mex
leo is long continued the United
States will be forced by European
governments to take stringent meas
ures. Friendly mediation at this
time may save thousands of lives
and spare this country another ca
lamitous problem Of imperialism.
The right kind Of commission could
restore order out of chaos and bring
the Mexican revolutionists to their
senses. Mr.. Taft could not termi-
nate his administration by a more
useful or patriotic service TO civili-I
zatiOn." !.