New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-27
Mediation in Mexico Desirable, but
Difficult TO Put in Practice.

offer OF Argentina, Brazil and Chln WAS III i''0 49,
admirable stroke of policy. 1t was an important
stem toward the realization OF the aims OF INC an
American diplomacy Of Blaine. Hay and Root
What those statesmen had in mind was the uni
acatlon of American interests and the ESTABLISHMENT
bv the leading powers this continent OF genuine
concert of action. Under the Monroe Doctrlne INC
limited States Is pledged TO protect the other Aer
can nations from European aggression But tne
growth Of South American countries like Argentina
Chill, and Brazil has made IT desirable to supplement-
ths Monroe Doctrine with new doctrine OF JOINT
American action in crises affecting the interests Vi
oil Ameuca. Stability. order and the development
Of democratic institutions are the concern OF all
American powers and when a situation ike that
now existing In Mexico arises. threatening return
to despotism and anarchy Intervention for the oen
eft of all is fully justified.
The Tribune repeatedly urged last summer JOINT
Intervention In Mexico by Argentina, Brazil Chih
snd the United States 1t regrets that the Idea or
concert Of American powers was not tried out theh
when all the circumstances favored 1t.
all the circumstances against It. Yet IN so far as the
biz states Of South America have been brought to
see that they have common responsibility with us
in maintaining order and safeguarding progress IN
this hemisphere the Mexican crisis has already
Welded one highly important and beneficial result
AS for the mediation offered by our South Ameri
can friends and gladly accepted by and appar-
emily about to be accepted by Huerta in accordance
with his own notions, nothing is to be gained by
trying to minimize its difficulties In the notes ex-
changed at Washington neither he South American
states nor own State Department clearly de-
fined the scope of the process. II either note had
done that the exchange would probably never have
occurred The South American diplomats did tho
hest they could. They tendered their good Offices
for the peaceful and friendly settlement Of the
conflict between the United States and Mexico
But what was meant by Mexico? According to
the logic of the Wilson Bryan policy, there are two
separate political entities in Mexico-the section OF
territory controlled by Huerta and that controlled
by the Constitutonasts
Furthermore. in the Huertista section distinction
is made between the Huerta government and Its i'm
mediate following and the bulk Of the population on
which he has saddled his military dictatorship The
President has said that he is operating against the
Huerta government alone, and the resolution which
Congress passed sustaining him expressly dis
claimed any hostility to the Mexican people.
In the reply of our government the parado1es OF
the proposed mediation are even less concealed. The
administrations original break with the Huerta
government over the question OF salute to our flag.
Yet in Mr. Bryans note to the representatives Of the
three South American powers he says: "This gov
eminent hopes most earnestly that you may find
those who speak for the several elements Of the
Mexican people willing and ready to discuss terms
Of satisfactory, and therefore permanent, settle
ment"
Evidently this language includes the Constitution
alists as well as the Huertstas and looks a per
rnanent settlement Of the whole Mexican problem.
But how could Huerta be expected to accept medi-
alton Of that unlimited scope which would involve
bis own elimination and general renovation Of the
Mexican government, when he claim with entire
plausibllty that his only acute difference with the
United States has been the form Of salute to
our flag?
II would be absurd for this government to consent
10 limiting mediation to the question Of salute.
would be unnatural for Huerta TO accept mediation
Of any broader character. Mr. Bryan's note def
Iltely abandoned the fiction that the United States
is now seeking merely compliance with the second
clause Of Admiral Mayos demand for reparation fol
wing the Tampico incident. But President Wilson
had already abandoned that fiction last Thursday
when he said in answer TO General Carranza's pro
test: "Wheneyer and wherever the dignity Of the
United States IL Houted It's international rights OF
the rights OF s citizens invaded, It's influence re
bufYd where It has the right TO attempt to exercise
A. this government must deal with those actually In
control"
n tho United States IL going To engage In thor
ougbgoing Intervention, based the grounds emu
nnerated In tho Lodge preamble-if 1t IL going to
compel a general cleaning up In Mexico in is own
int. NJ oth nufIOng-fi