Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-16
#lisetllaneous BEADING.
A BILLION AT STAKE
Why the American Army Must occu-
py Mexico.

Americans have, or had Is month!
ago, Investments in Mexico amounting
to approximately one billion of dol
lars. Forty thousand of them dwell
in Mexico in peace and security at tn,
beginning Of the three years of terror
These people had come to Mexico a
the invitation of its government anC
were promised protection to life and
property. These promises were full
filled while General DiaZ was presi-
dent. They were partially fulfilled un-
der Madero, who could never have
reached the presidency without the
support moral and financial, that he
got from the United States. During
the rule Of General Huerta, Americans
and other foreigners have been pro-
tected as we'll as possible under the
prevailing conditions.
But after Huerta, what? The HUI
erta government Is to all practical
purposes a thing Of the past. The
Mexican mob is inflamed against
Americans by the invasion Of Mexican
territory. Villas coming has raised a
storm cloud over the capital. The pos
sibility of a siege and bombardment
with all it's horrors is imminent.
You at home may dismiss this sub
ject by saying that the Americans in
Mexico should get out Of the country.
But their homes are there, their inter-
ests, in many cases representing the
savings Of half lifetime would be
utterly lost If abandoned. To leave
means a certainty Of ruin, to stay 4"
possibility Of death.
The policy of the government Of the
United States may be definite and de-
cisive, but nobody in Mexico can even
guess what it is.
To a Mexican on the warpath all
fair haired, blue eyed folks are Grin
goes" English, French, Germans
Scandinavians are all imperiled by the
attitude of the United States, and on
it's action their fortunes depend.
Any one who knows Mexican char
acter knows that American prestige
has already suffered by the delay in
advancing from Vera Cruz. The Mex
lean has been taught through CEN
turies to respect only force. Lenien-
cy, mercy or liberation he regards as
evidence of fear or weakness. He is
incapable of understanding such al
truism as caused the United States to
restore political liberty in Cuba. To-
day millions Of Mexicans believe that
the United States is afraid Of Mexico
because it did not promptly follow up
the advantage gained at Vera Cruz.
That it should pause to negotiate
through the intervention Of the South
American republics means only one
thing to the Mexican mind, and that is
that the American government is
afraid to finish what it has begun.
This feeling is reflected in the con-
temptuous attitude Of MeXicans to-
ward Americans. When the awaken
ing comes. when the Stars and Stripes
advance from Vera Cruz toward the
capital, there may be another out
break of mob fury that will cost not
only Americans but also other foreign
ers dearly.
And the American army must go to
Mexico whether the government wants
it to or not. For, unless from this
point on. the United States follows
vigorous policy in Mexican matters.
American interests in Mexico are
ruined And with them the interests
of all other foreigners will be fearful
ly depreciated.-Lesli Weekly.