New-York tribune., 1914-03-30
Europe Will Demand Action.

But more important to the United States
and to the American policy than that
will be the suffering TO foreign interes IS.
Unquestionably other Bentons will lie
killed and more foreign property will be
destroyed.
Europe cannot be expected to tolcra -
"watchful waiting forever If this sort
of thing goes on much longer foreign
business men in Mexico will make fur
thcr demands on heir home governments,
and those governments will be compelled
10 demand that America act The inlpa-
tiencc in the foreign colonies here is al
ready great, and the pressure on various
foreign offices must be approaching the
insufferable
'Watchful waiting" has proved no So
luton for the Mexican problem, and ac-
cording TO every competent authority it
never will. Should things drift on so
quietly as not TO arouse Europe to de-
mands that the United States act, Mexico
would become divided. There will be two
MeXicos North and South. instead of one
If that is what the administration in
Washington wants. it is following the
course which would bring it about But it
can hardly be imagined that this is the
end TO which Washington is working for
il is Washingtcns announced policy that
Mexico is to be saved and uplifted
But whatever the result at Torreon,
where the impending battle is being made
much Of by both sides, with claims Of GER
tain victory, the engagement will be far
from decisive. IT will not mean that
Huerta regains control of the North If
he wins: equally, il will not Indicate that
Villa will advance steadily toward Mexico
city if he is the victor
\ victory by Huerta would strengthen
him throughout the country. He already
has pretty thorough control in the more
pOpulous distcts. although he has been
troubled by bandits and by the revolu-
tionsts under Zapata. particularly in the
State OF Morelos. IL is noteworthy that
few reports of attacks on foreigners and
/ destruction Of foreign property come from
districts controlled by the Federals
Huerta Protects Aliens.
Huerta protects the alien. He doubtless
does so because he thinks it good policy,
but the point Is. at least to the foreign
ers, that he does give this protection. If
he H. wins at Torreon, Huerta will be
stronger than at any time since he as
sumed the Presidency. People now OIL the
fence will fiock TO his side His army
VIII become more loyal and more depend
able, and he will be rid of the ever-pres-
ent danger Of disintegration Of his troops
/ in the face of defeat Victory will make
/ Il more than ever clear that Huerta is
not crumbing in the rapid fashion the
administration in Washington has fondly
hoped. His financial resources doubtless
will be augmented.
There is good reason for saying that
/ Villa will be unable TO conduct vic
torious campaign southwark. After re-
cuperating from Torreon. should he capt
ure that place, and turning his attention
TO the south, he will be confronted by
wholly different conditions from those
with which he has had TO contend during
the last few months. lie has been op-
Grating In COahuila, Chihuahua and Du-
range. These are thinly populated states.
/ In Coahuila there are only 2l9 persons TO
I every square kilometre OF territory; In
chihuahua. only l.34. and in Durango. 3.Ss.
So II is all through the northern tier If
Mexican states. where the Constitutional j.
lists have gained their greatest successes.
From Torreon villa must enter the
states OF Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi.
Here lie will encounter more populous
districts. Iacatecas has Sl2 persons 10
the square kiometre, and San Luis Potosi
1O1l In the northern sections Of these
states villa has sympathizers. but as he
proceeds southwark he Will find the peo-
Pile more In sympathy with the govern
ment in Mexico city. and they arc by no
means reluctant 10 fight the rebel in
yaders for their homes.
In a word, south Of Torreon villa will
enter hostile country. The way south 10
Mexico city Is further barred by the
states Of Guanajuato. Qucretaro and III
dalgo. Guanajuato is thickly populated.
there being 2s1t inhabitants 10 the square
kilometrc The figure drops 30 . in Qucrc-
taro. but reaches $3.50 in llidalgo Ia
these districts the popuIacc viii stand by