The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-01-21
A Last Resource

Once again rumor has taken up the supJect
Of Intervention in Mexico and credits TO some
unnamed diplomat the power to enter the presl-
dents mind and ascertain by subtle scrutiny
that Mr.. Wilson has veered oyer TO intervention,
and that this policy will he followed soon. NO
enc can say there will not be intervention, but
certainly the policy of the United States thus
far maintained will not be altered until there
comes about some radical alteration in the con-
ditions themselves. So long as Huerta remains
dictator, and so long as the consttutionailsts
have their job cut out for them, there Is no rea-
son for talk of intervention to become active
The only conceivable occasion for this course
would be Change or conditions below the Dor
der such as would be brought about by the
success of the consttutionaliss and their failure
to restore peace. The alternative situation OF
the constitutonalists inviting the United States
TO adopt the course of pacific intervention would
doubtless bring ready response as the sole puF-
pose of this government would be to 50 guide
the government through its financial ana
other difficulties to facilitate the task of
completely correcting the condition Of internal
disorder and of practical bankruptcy.
The work OF purgng the country of the an
archy that there exists must be done. This IS
admitted. Perhap the Mexicans chronic
ally unable TO do it themselves. But there is
no occasion for the United States to enter upon
this work at the present juncture. The tine
is yet ripe, if it shall ever unhappily, come
for the United States send armed forces into
the southern republic AS for entering upon a
blockade of the ports and administering the Gus
toms without the consent of the MeXicans, it
requires acute discernment to see that this
would he the most violent Of provocations and
an incentive to inveterate hostility by the Mex
leans. 1t may be admitted that the task of
the subjugation Of Mexico would not be the
enormous that has been commonly sup
posed, But ii would be the completion of
which would through many months and
perhaps years. The outlaw bands that infest
mountain Businesses and that have entire towns
and villages In league with them--as long
the case with the handitti of Sicily--could carry
predatory operations with almost impunity.
Al the present time the Zapatists and other
outlaw bands receiving at little used ports
consignments of arms through the agency Of
the Japanese fishermen. and this class of opera
tons would be conducted with even more energy
In of the Intervention and its undertaking
to regulate the Internal affairs of Mexico. The
pacificaton Of Mexico would not he the imme-
diate work Of overcoming the federal forces
whether those now named their successors
through change of government-but the work
to the invaders.
present time not justified by any of the condi~
tonsfhat would arise after Intervention. 1t is
unfortunate that the situation seems growing
worse instead of better, but If the constitution
nlists succeed in their efforts to overthrow HUI
erta the exhausted country will have reason
to assent to the friendly offices of the United
States. especially all the creditor powers of
Europe will make known their wishes in this
respect Intervention Is the last word In the
Mexican situation and that word will not be
spoken by the president of the United States
until every other argument and resource has
failed utterly.-Baltimor American.