Evening star., 1914-12-31
Influential Americans in Mex
leo Declare That Condi-
tionS Are Chaotic.
HAVE LITTLE CONFIDENCE
IN ABILITY OF GEN. VILLA
Doubted if Semblance of Real Gov
ernment Can Be Restored
in Years.

Strong representations have been
| made to the administration recently by
| responsible and influential Americans
in Mexico to the effect that conditions
there are again fast approaching the
point where the United States must in
tervene if it really wants to see sta
bility and peace in that unhappy coun-
try. 1t has been plainly put before ad-
ministration officials that there is very
little hope that Villa will be able to
establish permanent government un-
less he shows more sympathy for the
former ruling class. the real backbone
Of the nation, and even then it is doubt
full If he or any other man now at the
front there will be able for years to
come to restore order and maintain the
semblance of real government
The information is that conditions all
over Mexico are Just as chaotic as at
any time in the last few years, and
that the situation Is growing worse
daily, with every mans hand at every
other mans throat, and no confidence
anywhere.
Charges Are Discounted.
The administration has learned to dis
count the coloring given to Mexican al
fairs by Americans who reside there,
simply because 1t is absolutely impossible
not to be prejudiced one way or another
However, the reports recently have
come from men who, while admitting
prejudice, are liberal enough to conceoe
that there are many sides to the ques-
ton. At least one prominent American
who has lived in Mexico City for five
years, remaining throughout all the
troubles, has told high officials OF the ad-
ministration that Intervention again looms
Wilson and Secretary Bryan are set IN
their determination that whatever gov
ernment is recognized must be pledged to
recognition Of the needs and rights OF the
common people of Mexico, VINO consutute
more than 80 per cent of the population.
and whose aspirations, hardly understood
by themselves are for greater participa-
ton in the affairs of the nation.
Villa Has Had Backing.
Villa has been looked to as the en-
bodiment Of this spirit Of the yearnine
of the peon for more recognition. less
Of slavery, and an opportunity to own
a humble home for himself and his
family instead of baing dependent on
the great landlords for q spot OF
ground he can temporarily squat upon.
Because of the supposed sympathy of
Villa for the masses OF the people he
has had whatever moral backing the
administration has been able to give,
and it is understood that he VIII con-
tinue to have that backing II he de-
ports himself with ability and fairness
and is consistent and loyal to the man
below.
Practical Americans in Mexico say
that there is much pretty theory in
what is being promised in reform and
what outsiders desire to have per-
formed, and declare that the real facts
are that the reforms must come ex-
ceedingly slow and cannot be put into
execution at one swoop by Villa or any
other man, unless he faces sure destruc-
tion from the higher classes, who un-
derstand how impractical are some of
the proposed plans for the peon and
will continue to furnish. the money for
revolution after revolution until some
strong man arises who will be able to
control Mexico as did Diaz, and whose
policy will be to recognize slowly the
elements that have heretofore been
ignored.
May Master Situation.
The hint is conveyed to the adrninis-
tration that II Villa will not attempt
completely to overturn the wealthy class
es and will compromise sufficiently In
his views to draw some of this ele-
ment to him, he may yet be able to mas
ter the situation, but pessImistfc views
are put forth as to the Likelihood of
such course on his part. He already
is engaged in 4 struggle with Zapata,
who wants to shoot all the former sup
porters of Huerta, mainly made up of
cientificos or wealthy and educated
Mexicans.
1t is not known whether administra-
tion officials have been impressed with
the arguments and facts reaching them
as to the gloomy outlook in Mexico.
but 1t Is known that the President will
not depart from his established policy
of keeping American troops out of that
country. He will pursue the same pol
icy of watching and waiting and leave
to the Mexicans the working out of
their own fortunes, with this one res
ervation-that the government eveBtu-
ally started there will not be recog-
nized by the United States until there
is ample evidence that it's real purpose
is to grant reforms looking to the rails
ing of the poor from the utterly for
lorn and forsaken position they have
SO long occupied. Be the man who goes
to the head of the Mexican government
next real liberator or a dictator, he
will have little sympathy from the ad-
ministration if his purposes are to fol-
low in the footsteps of Diaz or
Huerta.