Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-17
Monroe Doctrine and Mexico.

The only possible factor of embarrass-
1neut to the American administration In
the present Mexican matter is that 1t has
coupled its refusal TO recognize the
Huerta government with the declaration
that II proposes to wait until the OCTOBER
elections to give the color of law to the
Huerta authority. Had this government
merely withheld recognition pending a
reasonable demonstration of stability, 1t
could at any time without the awk-
wardness incident to change of position,
have granted an acknowledgement in Of
fetal form of the de facto government at
Mexico City The really Mischievous fac
tor in the situation. therefore, is the refer
ence to the October elections. as anord-
ing a basis for recognition squaring with
the administr ation's proclaimed prefer
ence for governments founded on law.
Yet this embarrassment. incident to the
necessity of a change of mind, should
not deter the administration from put
ting itself promptly into a position of ef-
fectiveness for the safeguarding Of Amer
lean lives and property. Official pride
should be waived in the light of the fact
that in the absence of any formal status
at Mexico City, due to- a failure 10 recog-
nize the Huerta government. the United
States is impotent to force respect for
the rights of it's people, and at the same
time is exposed to the just criticism OF
European powers. only too glad Of an ex-
cuse to rate the United States as occupy
ing as in South and Central America
and in Mexico in particular at this juno
ture. the position of dog in the manger.
An official request that the United
States place itself in position to guar
antee peace and order in Mexico. TO be
followed possibly by similar representa-
tons from other powers. will present
a diplomatic question far broader than
the mere matter of the recognition of
the Huerta administration. as the Monroe
doctrine involves the United States in
guarantees beyond those required
by its own citizens. This government has
at times. notably in one instance in Ven
ezueia, permitted a tripartite European
combination to be organized for coercive
purposes. but with a distinct understand
ing that territorial concessions should
not be exacted from the offending gov
eminent. In it's present situation the
United States can, without throwing the
Monroe doctrine into issue, specifically
turn over to England. germany. France
sires to join, the task Of restoring order
in Mexico, on the distinct understanding
of abstention from territorial compensa-
tons. But that is hardly conceivable.
In this case we have a stake in Mexico
greater than that of any other single
power. We could not possibly pretend
such indifference as to yield to any other
nation or any group of nations the duty
of putting Mexico on the footing of tran
quiiiity and international guarantees.
Shall, then, this responsibility be assumed
exclusively by the United States or shared
with Europe? At the present Europe,
speaking Immediately through Germany.
puts the duty up t, the United States
and presents situation from which the
administration cannot possibly extricate
itself save by a reconsideration of its
hastily proclaimed insistence upon a gov
ernmental establishment in Mexico in
strict accordance with the letter of the
law.