Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-10
Kahn Proposes a Concert
of Four American Powers
to End Mexican Trouble

If the United States should invite
Brazil. Chile and the Argentine Republic
to join with this government in a stiff
show of authority against the present
Mexican imbroglio. the trouble on the
other side Of the Rio Grande would stop
in q few days, according to the ideas
of Representative Julius Kahn of Cali
fornia. In q statement to The Star yes
terday. Mr. Kahn made 1t clear that he
believes that the Mexican situation is
the concern Of every American republic
and should not become a political ques-
ton. He believes that the juncture has
been reached when the United States
should ask the countries named to CO.
ever steps are necessary to bring about
q condition of peace in Mexico.
The information that comes from
Mexico" said Mr.. Kahn, 'is to the eff
feet that practically all of the so-called
rebel chieftains are not inspired by high
patriotic motives in their so-called revo-
lutionary movement, but are rather in
spired by desire for loot and graft.
The men under these leaders are moth
ing but banditti. They know nothing of
is enough to cause them to enroll under
the banner Of some despot and to terror
ize the state or the section In which
they happen to be.
When Durango Was Captured.
When the city Of Durango was cap
tured by 1900 rebels June 1S the Amer
lean consul at that place, in company
with two other Americans, called upon
the rebel chief. Gen. Tomas Urbina, ask
Ing for q guard to protect the consulates
Of the various countries represented in
Durango and such places of refuge as
were occupied by the foreigners In that
city. Urhina replied he could do nothing
until twenty-four hours had elapsed, as
his men had been given that time to do
as they pleased in the city in payment
Of their services.
I'm consequence nothing was done to
stop the men from pillaging and looting.
That is fair type of the character of the
warfare conducted in Mexico at the pres
ent time. Our own government has not
recognized Huerta. who is in possession
of the capital, but has sent special rep
resentatives Of the President to investi-
gate conditions and report. Huerta has
announced he will not receive the latest
| representative of the administration. Mr..
Lind, unless he brings credentials from
our government
Why should the United States alone
bear the responsibility of bringing
about peaceful conditions in our sister
republic? In Europe whenever diff
culties of a similar character arise a
concert of the great powers determines
upon course Of action and the matter
is soon settled. The Latin American
| republics look upon the United States
with suspicion. Our professions re-
garding the Monroe doctrine are look ed
| upon as being far from disinterested.
Concert of American Powers.
Il believe the time has come when there
| should be a concert of the powers Of the
American hemisphere in such matters as
| the Mexican imbroglio. Brazil the
Argentine Republic and Chile should be
invited to participate with the United
| States In an endeavor to settle the diff
great South American republics have not
recognized the Huerta government. They
| are holding back. probably waiting for
extended by these three countries would
reassure all Latin America as to our
disinterestedness In matters Of this kind.
such action would tend to convince all
Latin America that the United States Is
simply trying to bring about peaceful
conditions In America These three coun-
| tries are just as much interested In main
| tanning the Monroe doctrine as we are
| They are as much interested in MAIN
are; and the fact that our government
| would ask their cooperation in bring
ing about condition OF peace would
strengthen the bond Of friendship be-
tween Latin America and ourselves, and
would be q notice to the world that the
American republics stand ready to set
tie the problems that confront their
citizens without interference from the
| rest Of the world"