The Washington times., 1914-06-19

dency the various plans or the conten-
tons of the parties, but as the Mexican
representatives have given out a formal
statement of their objections 10 the ap-
pointment of a ccnstitutionalist as pro-
visional president because. among other
things, an election conducted by such
provisional government would not
represent the will of the Mexican peo-
pie. it has been thought necessary TO
give 4 part of the answer to the letter
written by sir. Rabasa.
In that answer the American repre-
sentatives utterly rcpudiate any sug-
sestions that the American President
has any intent of destroying the liberty
of Mexico, and insists that the Mexi-
can representatives entirely mssuuder-
stand the motives and objects of the
President who recognizes the facts and
sees in the past success of the consti-
trtional army indisputab'e evidence Of
the approval of the Mexican people.
But he also sees that the full triumph
Of that army means an indefinite con-
tinCance of The WEI, with the suffering
and bloodshed and death which every
war involves.
These consequences the President
seeks to prevent through mediation,
but We greatly fear that the language
Of the Mexican note implies that his
efforts may be thwarted because of
unwillingness to have a constitution
alist as provisional president, even
though that promises the only prac-
tIcable means by which the horrors
Of war can be prevented.
Hope For Peace
Hope is expressed that the Mexican
Representatives will not further op-
pose the only plan which promises
peace, when its rejection means suf-
fering and death, to so many. We are
convinced that your objections to the
plan itself and your fear of the i'll
consequences that may follow its
adoption are not we'll founded; and
that in attacking the details you lose
sight of the large and controlling mo-
tive which, from the beginning of this
trouble has been in the minds of the
President and which has influenced
the American representatives in all
that they have said or proposed to the
mediators.
THE American Government seeks
only to assist in securing the pacifea-
ton Of Mexico. II has no special in
terest in the method or in the person
by which that great end is TO be ac-
complished; and IL Ii presses for any
particular method, or for the selection
cf q particular type of men. It Is only
because II believes them to be the only
means to the desired end. American
objections to the plan approved by the
Mexican representatives have been based
upon the profound conviction that the
adoption of that plan would not stop
the progress of the victorious army. nor
bring that speedy peace, which the
American Government SO sincerely de-
stres. 80
'"It would be easy at this conference
70 write an agreement which many
would consider desirable; but unless the
most excellent of plans and tie most
excellent of men are accepted by the
constitutionalists, We would only have
paper plan, perfect in form. and just
IN expression, but wholly Ineffective to
secure peace in war-worn Mexico. To |
bring that war to close, to restore |
peace and constitutional government Is |
the aim OF the President; and that end \
can only be attained by consulting the |
Iust wishes of the const!tutic1altsts, \
who are not only in numerical majority, |
but are now the dominant force IN the 1
country. |
Must Name Right Man.
Most Of those in that party will nee |
essarily he long ignorant of the terms |
szrecd on at Nia-ara alls. but they do |
xSov men and they do know for what |
rIen stand. And il the right man is Sc |
le-t-d for Provisional president. thev can. |
and we hope will. accept his appoint
Iaent AS concrete and satisfactory evil
darce that the prov sioral government
is not intended to prevent the adoption |
of the reforms to secure which the Mex |
ian people have risen in arms.
IF those selected by the mediators |
10 administer the provisional govern |
1nent have the confidence of the con- |
stifutionalists. a long step will have !
hcen taken toward the pacification OF |
Mexico without furnishing any occasion |
for alarm TO those Mr.. Rabasa repre- |
sents for If the plan is accepted |
10th by General Huerta and General |
C7rranza. the cessation OF arms follows, |
and provisional government Is estab- !
lishod to maintain order to protect life |
and property. and to call an election at /
w1ich every qualified voter may cast
l.S ballot for the pres!dent of his choice; |
while, IL the plan Endorsed by the Mex /
can representatives should be adopted, 1
nd a neutral should be chosen as pro-
v1sicnal president. we would have Sc
cured no practical results. but still be
confronted with the e.insurInountablc fact !
that the constitutionalists. nov almost |
nompletely triumphant. would reject the
plan, repudiate the ran, and press for
ward with renewed goal to Mexico City, /
ith all the loss Of blood and life that
may involve
Neutral Open to Suspicion.
In reference to the suggestion that
the provisional president should be a
ueutral. It is said that 1T is manifest
hat in such a contest as hes been
waged in Mexico for years. it is not only
fair. but necessary to assume that every
intelligent man of any prominence is
II heart on one side or the other, and /
The country might well question the
patriotism of any Mexican who has
been colorIess in such a contest, and as
he provisional president must be, to
some extent, identified with one party
OF the other. it necessarily follows that