New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-24
Carranza's Protest Finishing Blow
to the Policy of "Unwatchful
Waiting"

With the reimposition of the embargo on the
expectation of arms and munitions OF war 'n'o
Northern Mexico the administration is on tne
h,,rt ~ q MIXTURE with the Caranza govern
ment When that rupture occurs the Wllson-br9"n
norcv op "watchful waiting will have failed all
along the line The President hattered himseh no'
q little when he described bis programme or the
last thirteen months "watchful waiting hn'
country is now finding out that it was 'unwatcniui
uaitng"-waiting without any definite end In view
and with no adequate preparation for meeting eliei
cences as they might arise.
The Wilson Bryan policy was doomed from the
very outset to failure, not alone because IL was
based on illusions and an indolent Sinking OF ma
tional duty. 1t was much at fault In despisins
all the normal precautions OF ordinary diplomacy
General Carranza's protest against the American
occupation of Vera Cruz has caused the greatest
amazement and CONSERVATION in Washington But
II is evident that it could have taken the admins
tration by surprise only because the administration
neglected to inform itself in advance Of General
Carranzas purposes and attitude. 1t has had ample
time and many occasions for coming TO a clear IN
Outstanding with the head of the ConsttutiOnalist
forces.
The administration put the Northern Revolution
on its feet when it lifted the embargo on the e1-
portation Of arms the Mexican border 1t did
Carranza and villa signal favor Why didn't 1t
insist at that time on some reciprocal pledges from
+ adr
was willing to play into their hands they should
have been willing to play into its hand.
The Benton incident disclosed the fact that there
was no dependable understanding between the Con-
stitutionalists and President Wilson. General Car
rama set up for himself in that matter and blocked
the administrations plans. Wasn't that warning
enough of the danger ahead? 1t seems almost be-
yond belief that having the necessity of diplo-
matte Qualification thus borne in upon it, the admin
istration should have allowed the embargo suspen-
sion TO stand and should have gone ahead bndly
trusting in the good intentions of Villa and Car
rama.
The fundamental aim of the reparaton pro-
gramme presented to Congress on Monday was the
nection with the Huerta government. If Mr. VIII
son was not sure that such detachment could be
efectedlf be had no pledges in advance from
Carranza-he simply firing in the air His
policy was based once more on those illusions which
he has all along substituted for facts in dealing
with Mexico He merely playing with dplo-
macy instead Of making it a weapon Of national
been said for months about his inability to take
diplomacy seriously TO appreciate its practical
complications in foreign relations.
II Carranzs is to oppose this country's efforts to
gramme of action directed against Huerta alone is
already a failure. Both existing Mexican govern
ments Will have to be dealt with and that means
dealing with all organized government in Mexico.
The reasoning OF the Wilson message to Congress
will have to be cast aside and the reasoning of the
Lodge preamble will have to be accepted After
proceeding against Mexico for two days on his own
basis the President will have to drop all the illu-
sions to which he has chung for the last thirteen
months and wrestle with the broad underlying
problem Of general renovation In Mexico in the IN.
terest Of humanity, order and civilization to which
he has stubborny shut his eyes in his dealings both
with Huerta and with Carranza