The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-11-12
CASH MAY DO MORE THAN ARMS

The situation in Vera Cruz, reflected III yes
erday press dispatches, is such that it seems alto
gether likely the United States troops will soon be
withdrawn from the Mexican seaport and the Car
rama and Villa parties will be left to fight it out
between them who shall gain the upper hand in the
control of the turbulent republic to the south of us.
OF course anything fraught with the uncertain
ties OF the Mexican situation is likely to undergo
radical change overnight but as things stood yes
terday it looks though Carranza's guarantees
to the American government to fulfill all demands
OF the United States and to meet all conditions i'm
posed by this government together with the belief
that similar satisfactory guarantees will come from
Gutierrez, the new provisional president who was
set up by the Villa party which just now is liter
ally at swords points with the Carranza crowd,
Will in short time the causes that brought
about the American occupation of Vera Cruz and
permit the removal of the American troops.
Such guarantees as have been made by one fac
ton and seem about to be made by the other Of the
two parties which between them now dominate the
affairs of Mexico, amount i'll effect to compliance
with the demands Of the United States which the
Huerta party failed to meet and they open to the
United States an avenue through which this country
with dignity get out Of the Mexican muss, at
least temporarily 50 far as maintaining an armed
force in the republic is concerned
Of course it is the generally accepted belief that
the real motive Of the United States when she sent
troops to Mexican soil, was that such action would
contribute to the restoration of peace there 1t is
"a regrettabe fact that this has not been accom-
pished, but even at that there is indication that
prolongatiOn of the stay of the United States
troops in Vera Cruz can put end to civil strife
which now is being carried on between different
factions than those at at the time occupation
was effected.
Unfortunately United States has failed to restore
peace through sending troops to Mexico That fact
must be admitted but it doesn't call for the con-
tlnued occupation of Vera Cruz, for such occupa-
ton no longer holds out any promise of restoring
peace. The present Mexican factions having COM
piled or being about to comply with this nations
demands, must be left to fight it out" between
them, at least until there is some further iustfca-
ton for this country to interfere with an armed
force or in other way in the interest of peace
1t might be added in passing that if the Villa
folks do what seems likely and give the same guar
antees that the Carranza crowd have given, there
need be little fear that either faction will fail to
live up to its guarantees to this country. The
United States is withholding millions of dollars col
lected in the form of customs duties during the
occupation Of Vera Cruz. This money the Washing
ton government will not pay over until either the
Carranza or the Villa party demonstrates that it
is capable of setting up stable and orderly gov
ernment. The Withholding of this fund puts it prac
tically in the form of bonus that will 60 to that
faction that succeeds in demonstrating its ability to
rule Mexico to the satisfaction of the United States
And, who knows? Perhaps the holding aloft of
such cash prize may do more to restore peace in
Mexico than all the soldiers United States could
send to that country Perhaps the Almighty Dol
lar will appeal more to the factional leaders and be