Evening star., 1914-04-25
Seeking to Befriend the Real Mexico

From the Christian Science Monitor.
While events seem to be forcing the
United States into more direct action
with reference to Mexico, nothing can
come 80 swiftly as to blot out the les
sons of the last war in which the United
States Was involved-that is, the war
with Spain. Those lessons were lessons
for the United States, but they were for
other countries as well. The United
States learned that a war may be caused
as much by newspaper headlines and
cartoons as by any complications OF
diplomacy. 1t learned that even a war
with a supposedly weaker foe can entail
vast expenditures that have to be paid
for by the activities of peace. 1t learned
that a war entered upon as a means OF
ending complications may bring new CON-
plications and responsibilities Of even
greater magnitude and variety. 1t learn
ed that a reputation for using might in
stead of right can travel far among ma
tions that feel themselves likely sub
jects for the exercise Of that sort of
domination, and that its effects do not
wear or in a day.
The world learned from the Spanish
American war that the United States
was a naval power; that it would use
this power effectively in support of what
1t believed to be right; that it would
send troops and ships into a dependent
country to free that country from op-
preston, and yet withdraw from that
country absolutely when the oppressor
had been driven out.
These lessons of the war Of 1885 may
we'll be pondered in the present crisis.
The words war" and punishment" run
glibly through newspaper headlines and
news reports. Yet the United States, We
feel sure, with all its sending of ships
and its swift preparation of troops, does
not intend war. with the republic to the
south. It would seem trivial indeed If all
these preparations were for the sake of a
punishment" of the man who has as
sumed to dictate the course of affairs in
that distracted republic. For the United
States has no quarrel with Mexico: II
holds no commission to use the army and
navy for mere individual ''punishnents." :"
Involved in this matter is something more
than the question of a nations dignity"
And it is to be regretted that the news
papers, especially when they are using
their best resources to get at the facts.
cannot clearly present the realities with
reference to the Mexican disturbance as
freely as they deal with the military and
naval aspects of it. Obviously 1t is hard
ly more easy for the government than
for the newspapers to view this matter
broadly and clearly. The real significance
of events is not readily discoverable.
Mexico is and has been for years in the
grasp of a power that shuns the light.
that takes advantage OI nlouen ways,
that works against progress and enlight-
enment and the popular enjoyment of
those riches of soil. and climate. and sit
uatjon, which would seem to be the nat
ural heritage of Mexico and the Mexican
people. Some would now call this power
Huerta: others, anarchy: others, Hitter
acy. We think the events of the last few
days have shown that President Wilson
has done wisely in not attempting to rec
ognize it officially: for it is obvious that
no one of these possible claimants for
recognition is really Mexico. And every
act Of the United States government. we
hold, should be wisely calculated to rec
ognize and assist the real Mexico, the
great body of humanity which. one way
or another, can properly claim the right
to life, liberty and the pursuit of happi-
ness with a home on Mexican SOIL If ST.
Huerta is the visible embodiment Of
forces that would restrict that right, that
would prevent the Mexican people from
proper realization of that peace and prog
ress and security which civilization unites
to insure then the use of force to re-
move the disturber would seem to be not
SO much a move for war as a move for
peace.
The United States government seems to