The Washington times., 1914-05-28
MEXICAN GUN-RUNNING.

Precisely what was gained by the
American seizure of Vera Cruz, on
the pretext that it was necessary to
prevent big consignment of NUM-
tions of war getting to Huerta, is not
now at all plain. 1t appears that
the German ship Ypiranga, which
left Vera Cruz on discovering that
the port was in American hands,
loafed along the Gulf coast and a. an
opportune moment landed her cargo
at Puerto Mexico, the eastern ter
minal of the Tehuantepec railroad.
More than this, other like consign-
ments are reported on their way to
Mexican, ports, and it is explained
that in view of having accepted me-
diation, the United States is estopped
from preventing their landing.
There is temptation to inquire
whether the Department of State
understood the situation that was go
ing to develop as a result of enter
ing into the mediation arrangement.
1t is very certain that the mass of
the American public did not under
stand that mediation meant any such
incidents as these. Congress, per-
haps aside from a few sharps in in
ternational law, did not so under
stand, and few other people did.
After taking a step that, if not
technically amounting to war against
Mexico, practically did amount to
war, the United States stopped, It
did not perfect a blockade, as was
anticipated when the Vera Cruz
move was made. There was no pos
sible benefit to be derived from the
occupation of Vera Cruz alone. With
other ports open, and free to receive
munitions of war, Huerta had not
been especially injured. Even the
loss of the customs business of the
port is immaterial if ships may go
on to Puerto Mexico and land their
goods. The sole result of taking Vera
Cruz would seem to be an arousal
of a certain measure of Mexican ma
tional feeling against the United
States, calculated to increase the
difficulty of adjusting affairs in that
country by strengthening Huerta's
hand.
What possible purpose can be ac-
eomplished by holding on to Vera
Cruz under such conditions? Mexico
has not been blockaded, either by
guns or even by paper proclamation.
1t appears that the Ypiranga sailed
away to Mobile. after learning that
Vera Cruz had been taken, and that
then she was conveyed down to
Puerto Mexico by German cruiser
and unloaded her. cargo, with no
American authority making protest.
The whole performance suggests
that somebody must have blundered,
and blundered egregiously. Ameri-
can lives were sacrificed in the boot
less business of grabbing a port
whose possession cannot benefit US,
and whose loss seems not to have
injured Huerta.
True, the mediation arrangement
was entered upon subsequent to the
seizure of Vera Cruz. Was it enter
ed upon, with a full understanding
that it gave Huerta the advantage of
escaping from a possible blockade,
and restored to him his privilege of
arms and ammunition
There have been, from the very
beginning, intimations that the A. B.
C. mediation was designed to trap
the United States, to injure our pres
tige and increase that of the South
countries. The Carranzis-
tas have been ill at ease over the
whole proceeding, apparently being
fearful that mediation meant the
measure of advancement for
their cause and the largest measure
Of aid and comfort for Huerta ard
The cientifico program in Mexico. AL
the present situation is inc
that needs explanation.