Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-18

ly to be if new government comes into
power through our influence. But not
for this reason can 1, or any one who
agrees with me in this, fail to approve
and applaud every honorable effort that
our government can make and ls making
| to avoid Intervention and further con-
1ict
"I yield to no man In my earnest de-
sire for peace and in my detestat1on OF
war; but an advocacy of peace that 1s.
nores conditions and takes no note OF
what Ia practical is futile and ineffective
tons Is much easier to deal with than
such condition as confronts US IN
Mexico.
Disease Of Revolution.
What we have to contend with in
Mexico. however. is the disease Of revo-
luton. Eighty per cent Of the people
are ignorant and illiterate. They have
suffered wrong and are struggling blind
ly with purpose, more or less ill-defned.
In state of society whose bonds are
almost entirely loosed. A three-year
war has laid waste the country. destroy
ed It's industry and exposed all foreign
residents to lawless violence and all their
investments there to destruction. It
has, in fact, become an international
nuisance.
"In such a case neighboring nation
may properly intervene and help the
forces Of law and order to end such an
archy Just because 1t wishes to live In
quiet neighborhood and not from a
spirit of conquest and greed of terri
tory If we are to be involved in war
because of Mexican anarchy. let US have
10 fully understood that we go into it in
the service Of mankind as the President
phrases 1t. and not upon the issue OF
mere punctilio in naval ceremonial
There are 14,OOO, 900 people in Mexico.
There are 1871 600 square miles. Much OF
1t Is In the tropics. Large parts Of II
are trackless deserts; large parts OF II
are difficult mountain ranges; large parts
of 1t are tropical jungle and forest. we
have. say, $4,000 mobile troops OF the
regular army ready to take the field IN
Mexico. If the available military force
of Mexicans. trained and made hardy
by a three-year war, we're to be masseo
against our troops we should need a
much larger force than we now have TO
capture the large strategic inland towns.
May Take Three Years.
AFTER we had captured them and dis
persed the armies the forces against
US would adopt a system Of the guerril-
Ia warfare. That is easy to carry on
and difficult to suppress in such a coun-
try. The best expert estimate Of the
force required by US to garrison the
necessary towns. suppress guerrilla war
fare and tranquillize the country is
10000 men. and 1t Is said that this would
take two or three years and involve
an expenditure Of 100000 day. >,
1.-The wisest course for US to pursue. II
the duty is before US Of suppressing an
archy in Mexico, would be- to blockade
all the Mexican ports. because the mill
tary weakness of the country is not
In lack OF hardy men. but In lack OF
military supplies and In lack OF food
provision. If we could be content to
take the seaports and blockade the coun-
try while we were making reasonable
preparation for the task, then, when
ready for action, we could do the work
at the least cost Of life and time and
money.
Disease in that country would thin
our ranks more than bullets. Then after
having lost thousands Of lives and ex-
pended a treasure double that which 1t
has cost us to give to the world the
hands a hostile Mexican people without
any gratitude for our sacrifice. Our
duty to them and to ourselves would be
to give them government, as secure
as practicable against recurrence OF
anarchistic conditions and affording
them an opportunity for material and
intellectual progress.
1.-THE latter task would be even more
difficult than that OF the war and the
work Of disqualification. 1t might take us
years. Having entered upon the war
from a sense OF duty. and retaining con-
troll to make our work effective. we would
be charged with being land grabbers. In
deed. after the burden Of cost, many OF
our people would be anxious to annex
part or all of the tranquilized territory
as compensation and in the interest OF
both peoples.
No Enthusiasm for War.
1--WE should take much satisfaction in
some phases OF the situation, doubtful as
others may be. The first is that the pros
pect of war does not awaken general
popular enthusiasm. The people are de-
termined to do their duty, should that
duty involve war. and to go into it with
faces stern and teeth set and to clean up
the Job as promptly as it can be done;
but they have at present little enthusiasm
for it May we not attribute this to thei.
growing love of peace as we'll as to the
absence of those soul-stirring issues
which arouse warlike enthusiasm?
THE other good thing is the offer OF
mediation by the three great nations OF
South America. and our prompt accept
ance. With the refusal of one of the
warning Mexican parties to accept media
ton. and with the probable defeat of the
other. 1t may be that the actual result
Of the mediation may not be what is
hoped for it. Still, the situation is SO full
of possible quick changes that one can
not prophesy that the sincere effort OF
these mediators may not accomplish
good. But, whatever may result, the offer
Of mediation and our acceptance are in
themselves a great step toward future
solution Of international difficulties in this
hemisphere.
"It is said that it ends the Monroe doc
trine. If we can unite with US the great
powers of South America SO as to use
our joint good Offices to bring about
peace whenever controversy arises be-
tween the nations of this hemisphere and
to prevent the oppressive or unjust inter
vention of European powers the Monroe
doctrine is greatly strengthened for good
We shall thus remove the i'll will that a
misunderstanding of the real Limitation
of that doctrine has aroused among South
Americans.
And so. let us separate today. hoping
and praying that out of the complicated
situation that we have before US a course
| may be found honorable and in every
| way directed by high national purpose
| which shall not thrust upon the people
| Of the United States heavy burden, the
| extent OF which we cannot measure anG
| one which will lead to peace. Let US up
hold the hands of the President in his
| effort to find it,
| The naun a r.ocr,,> nnTrnd