The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1914-08-12
END AT HAND IN MEXICO.

Despite recent Warlike talk from
the Mexican capital, the probability
is that the transfer OF the Mexico City
government to the constitutionalists
will take place in a few days without
organized resistance on the part OF
the federals. The further probability
is that the constitutionaist troops
will be held in check by their com
manders and that the policy of the
new government will be to give such
practical guarantees to life and prop
erty as are included in civilized mill
tary usage.
While Gen. Carranza has steadfast-
ly refused to give any formal assur-
ance to the federal peace delegates,
he has gone on record in an informal
pledge given to the United States and
tho world at large through Consul
Silliman at Saltillo. This pledge was
offered in response to a final plea
from Washington that Carranze give
the Carbajal representatives the mod
crate assurances they pleaded for. 1t
reads
EXcesses will not be permitted and
the conduct Of the new government
will be determined by what it deems
for the best interest of all concerned,
and this conduct will be in strict har-
mony with the laws of war, and the
usages of civilized nations under sim
liar circumstances.
Observance of this pledge will be in
line with the common sense of the
situation. Without the support of the
United States the new government can
look for shorter shift than the Huer
Ia government received. The recog-
milton of the United States. to say
nothing of other interested govern
ments, including the A-B-C powers,
cannot be attained unless earned by
rational conduct at the outset. If Car.
rama has any discipline in his military
organization it is 'unthinkable that the
displeasure- OF the United States will
be invited by carnival Of conliscation
and bloodshed incident to the occupa
ton of Mexico City.
On the other hand, even if the con-
stitutionalists cannot be trusted to do
the decent thing, the remnant Of the
federal military has 3nothing to gain
by fighting" The federal forces are
disorganiZed and are numerically in
ferior to the victory flushed consti
tutionalsts. The most the federals
could do would be to give the consti-
tutionalists an excise for slaughter
ing and looting.
1t is not unlikely Carranzas abso-
lutte refusal TO make any kind OF terms
with the federal representatives is
based on expediency. His followers,
to a man, hate the federals and are
animated by keen desire for physical
revenge. For months the constitu
tionalists have been Dragging that
they would fight their way into Next
co City. Deprived of that opportun
ity, .CarranZe may be convinced that
anything short Of unconditional sur
render would be resented by his fol-
lowers and might serve as provoca-
tion for independent outbreaks. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether Carranza
can hold his followers in check in any
event; but it is possible the chance
will be improved by letting the rank
and file understand that the entrance
into the capital was effected without
negotiation with the hated federals.
Y Just now the threat OF serious trou.
lie between CarranZe and Villa seems
to- be more ominols than what is
likely to happen in connection with
the transfer OF the reins of power in
Mexico aCity.e-SiOuSp CITY Journal. J.