The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1914-10-20
OUR TROOPS IN MEXICO.

to the determined policy of this coun.
try toward Mexico that can be avoid
ed only by complete avoidance of the
issue that our presence at Vera Cruz
holds constantly at hand.
In spite of the chaotic conditions in
the republic, the burning jealousies
of the various leaders Of the new fac,
tons in control of its affairs, the
stubbornness of Carranza and she
highhanded disposition Of villa, there
is always and unyaringly a feeling
of optimism at Washington as to
Mexico. Everything is about to go
right. just as il Is going wrong, and
all that has been done is more than
justified. That Is all very well, and
as long as the country is satisfied to
take II as correct representation of
tho situation. ii all makes for the
credit and enhancement of the admin
istration whose preservation being
highly desirable, is a pleasing effect
And yet, the administration is not
acting by its own pcrsuasions. II all
Is as lovely In Mexico as it is assum,
ed at Washington that it is, there is
not the slightest need nor even iusti-
ncation for the maintenance of a
force Of American troops at Vera
Cruz. If Mexico Is peaceful serene
and competent, she ought to tie left
in the hands of her own state mon
for the good government they are
held to be capable of giving her. ihs
continued presence of the American
troops at Vera Cruz Is, certainly an
apparent and possibly a real, contra.
dlction Of the professions of conf
dence in the ability of the Mexlcans
to order their own affairs peacefully
and creditably. There would be moth
ing sin that to cause concern save
the possible prejudice 1t might create
against the administration in the
minds of too literally disposed peo-
pie, wore there no danger of the So.
renity Of the situation being disturb
ed In a twinkling by the most unto
ward OF all possibilities clash be-
tween the Mexican and the American
troops on Mexican soil That being
every moment imminent much more
TO under the regime OF the constitu-
tionalists, whom we have favored
than under that of the Huertistas,
whom we antagonized the break
down OF the administration delicate.
Iy contriyed fabric OF Mexican stabil-
ty and happiness is to be avoided
only by taking II out of the zone of
practical disturbance In short. since
we are not to go through Mexico, no
matter what happens, We had better
come out of her gate immediately
even precipitately II we stay at
vera Cruz much longer we shall al
most certainly have to so on to Mex
leo city. Retreat while the way Is
yet clear is the only way to keep
from trouble.
Vera Cruz lis not Naco. II the Mex.
!eans fire on an American outpost.
somebody - going to get hurt, and
the casualties will IL chiefly ON the
Mexican side of the game. The firing
across the border of Arizona can al.
ways lee held as merely accidental,
and, unless We want to make milf
taiS issue of II, We can write the of.
tense and INJURY OF the books cred.
ting TO the general account of peace
at any price the small sacrifice in.
VOWED. But il is very different at
vera Cruz. An attack upon our
troops there will certainly precipitate
real warfare. for it ls not TO Ne sap
posed that there would be any halt.
.ne to await advices from Washing.
,on on the part Of any outpost com
mander whose little force was fired
upon, nor by Gen. Funston, in com
mand of the forces, with the arbitra-
~ authority reposed in him by the
martial role he has established at
era Cruz. Mr., Wilson is taking a
Great risk 10 his whole Mexican ex,
aibit by keeping the troops at the
port II We come away we can al.
ways stay away. leaving the countr.
to stew in Its own juice-which II is
certain to do-and purposed in ali our
dealings With the situation. sut the
continued holding of Vera (,uz can