The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-07-17
THURSDAY JULY II. 1913.
Mexico, the Powers, and the Monroe
Doctrine.

Where Americans have failed, Eu-
rope may, after all, succeed in con-
vincing President Wilson that condi-
tons in Mexico are serious enough to
command his speedy consideration.
We are not surprised to read in the
cable news that our easy-going policy
has taxed the patience OF the European
powers to such an extent that finally
they have concluded to officially ask
of this government its intentions. The
failure on the part of our administra-
ton 10 outline a definite policy has
come 10 be regarded by Europe as a
tacit approval of any steps the powers
might take TO protect their subjects in
Mexico.
We cannot persist in declining to
protec, foreign interests in that coun-
try and at the same time refuse to
permit foreign powers to protect their
own subjects and their own interests.
This will not do The Monroe doc
trine must be lived up to, or it must
be repudiated. No power will allow
us to make OF itself a football for the
delectation OF those who forever cry
hands off," We either must assume
full responsibility for the safeguard
ing OF the interests of others or we
must be satisfied, If we wish to live
up to international usage and the
comfy of nations, to allow others to
take care of their own affairs. Eu-
ropean opinion is absolutely correct in
looking askance at such policy.
On the other hand, if Europe in
sists upon the United States recogniz-
ing the Huerta government, if this
should be made a "conditio sine qua
non," an alternative of their not in
terfering in Mexico, that is quite an
other matter. Our course in this re-
spect is commendable. The American
people decline to have anything to do
with government that has come into
being through wholesale murder, TN
less its own people recognize it. This
has not yet been done, but is to be
accomplished at a ratification vote to
be taken throughout the republic in
October next. The fact that Europe
already has recognized Huerta does
not alter our duty, as we see it, as a
sovereign nation ruled by the will of
the people alone. But, just and ideal
istic as this is, it does not give us the
right 10 bark at other nations for try
ing to protect their interests.
During two very provocative years
the United States certainly has given
ample proof of its desire to maintain
peace with our big but unruly neigh
Dor to the south. We are doing our
utmost to safeguard the many Ameri-
cans down there and are having a
tough time trying to do so. But we
must permit Europe to do the same
thing. As a nation we cannot escape
the responsibility of the Monroe doc
trine, which warrants Europe in look
ing to US in taking the lead for the
protection of the lives of their sub
jects in Latin America, even when such
protection requires armed interference.
Yet these responsibilities are in no
way to be made dependent upon the
recognition of a government that so
far has not even received the indorse-
ment of its own people.
Peace at any price is fine slogan
for international amity, better than
peace with justice; but it is not the
sort of peace which the United States
should seek with any other nation.