The Washington times., 1914-04-30
DANGERS OF MEDIATION

1t does not require very great en-
pertness in the proprieties of diplo-
matte usage to realize that the me-
diation that has been undertaken In
Mexican affairs might easily lead to
most embarrassing difficulties. There
is need that the utmost circumspec-
ton be maintained by all parties,
and especially by the diplomatic
agents of the mediating powers, lest
the suspicion get abroad that there is
Interior purpose back of the whole
mediation move.
An effort, or the suspicion of an
effort. to "put something over"
would cause a resentment that would
break I'D the negotiations in short
order. and that would leave bad feel /
ing among the powers involved. 1t
il true that in a general way the !!
spectacle of group of American
powers getting together among
themselves to settle American differ
euces, without resort to war, and
without the help or interference OF
any outside powers, is an inspiring
thing. 1t marks the beginning OF
new era, a new attitude toward these
international relationship OF the
three Americas; of a frank recognl-
ton that sovereignties are in their
sovereign capacities equal, no matter
what the disparities in physical
power.
But these considerations make 1t
the more important that there shall
be no cause for doubts as to the
complete sincerity of all concerned
in such a negotiation as the present.
1t is not improper to say that very
many people will watch the media
ton with no very friendly eye to its
proceedings, and with all readiness
and willingness to suspect that the
lneGiating countries are quite willing
to lob" the United States bit IL
the chance presents. The innocence
and inexperience that pervade our
State Department Just now PROVIDE
the more reason for fears of what
may happen to our embarrassment.
It is intimated in the newspapers
today that the mediators have ap-
preached European powers and tined
to induce them to exert pressure
with President Wilson to induce him
TO give up his ultimatum that Huerta
must be eliminated. If that is true
it would seem to be proceeding Of
doubtful propriety. The mediator'
could hardly be expected to bus!
themselves aligning disinterestet
powers on one side or the other OF
controversy in which mediation hat
been intrusted to them. That the.
should go outside the group of inter
csts and people involved in the me
diation and try to organize eXtrnSl
influence and pressure to effect tha
which should come about onl
through negotiation and agrcemen
does not give a pleasant impression
Even before hint of the media
tion proposal became public, ther
was report, bolstered by highly Gil
cumstantial evidence, that the "a.
c." powers were quietly doing whs
rhay could to embarrass the Unite
States and to add to the difficultiC
of our situation. If the State d.
partment and the Administration {
not know this, they need to acquai'
themselves with what has for wet
been common knowledge IN Was
ington. The moves that were MAJ
before mediation was proposed we
right in line with the reported late
move Of seeking European intiuen
IN the negotiations.
The mediator vii. find their e
erprise failure if ever the peol
f this country get fearful that n
ulation intends to restore clentlf
rule to Mexico. The pe:pIe of
United States are In sympathy w
he effc~ts of the Mexican people
hc:tyr their conditions, t0 rect
sr".lct, so f4r as it needs, an e
nomic system that is u'e!'y b
Therefore, if the American peo
observe, as the mediation procee
evidence that mediation is likely
deliver the people Of Mexico b:
into the hands of their Old oppE
so?s, The American people will
nightly disp!eased.
General CarranZa is reported
have accepted the principle of me'
ton. which opens the way to po
pility of an armistice and suspen'
of actual hostilities. An armiStic
would seem, must oe the very W.
hing possible for Carranza. He is
in position to hold his forces strc
ly together, as even Huerta c.
more easily do. The danger to
ranza is that their power may
iategrate for want of activity an
meas. Therefore, if they agre